Freddy Adu does all the talking now.
Gone are the awkward rookie news conferences where he was seated beside or sharing the phone with his stoic D.C. United coach, Peter Nowak.
Now Adu calls you. He speaks casually with a hint of swagger, firing off sentences in rapid, energetic bursts.
He’s only 16, still a minor in the legal sense, but clearly the major player when it comes to his life and career.
In his third season in Major League Soccer, the fresh-faced phenom has settled into his role as a starter a season after clashing with Nowak about a lack of playing time. In five games, Adu leads United with three assists, and he has made a conscious effort not to overpromote or overextend himself.
Adu knows the game, on and off the pitch. He praises his teammates and coaches, and he bought a house for his family, complete with a flat-screen TV in nearly every room.
“I’ve been given the freedom to play my game,” Adu said as United (3-0-2) prepares for its only visit of the season to Invesco Field at Mile High on Saturday to play the Rapids (1-2-1).
Adu’s life was scrutinized from the moment he decided to sign a four-year, $2 million contract with MLS rather than sequester himself in the soccer academy of some big-name European club.
Adu played in 55 games (30 as a starter) his first two seasons, recording a modest nine goals and nine assists. United won its fourth MLS Cup his rookie year, and Adu played 25 minutes in the final as a second-half substitution.
Critics wondered if Adu could physically endure a man’s game. Today, his ever-present pace and displays of creativity and craftiness – pushing off defenders to get separation – are proof he can adapt and survive.
“I’m so happy at age 14 with what I went through because I have so much more time,” Adu said. “Getting it out of the way, you have an advantage over a lot of young kids that are playing because they still have to go through that.”
MLS commissioner Don Garber said Adu has been a wise investment on every level and reminds people MLS wanted to nurture a domestic prodigy, not ride him to riches.
“I think it was the traditional sports person that got so enthralled with him as a personality that he was then billed as this larger-than-life person,” Garber said. “We’ve been criticized for saying that we didn’t do it, but in many ways, cultural phenomenons are not made, they are just born, they just happen, and that thing got a life of its own.”
Like every other domestic player, Adu dreamed of making the 23-man roster for this summer’s World Cup tournament in Germany. Although no pundit gave him even a remote chance of making coach Bruce Arena’s list, Adu had not given up hope only hours before the U.S. team was announced Tuesday.
For probably the last time, Adu’s named was not called. He turns 17 on June 2; he’ll be just 21 for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and conceivably could become a Cup four-timer, like Claudio Reyna and Kasey Keller.
“I think Freddy is a very special kid and very special player,” said Rapids defender Mike Petke, who played with Adu at D.C. United. “He’s only 16. He’s got a wealth of talent, and the only way I see Freddy going is up.”
So much for the slight that kids these days don’t value their talents.
“I’m not going to stop. I’m going to keep working,” Adu said. “God gave me a talent, and I’m not going to waste it.”
Colorado Rapids vs. D.C. United
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Invesco Field at Mile High
TV/radio: Altitude/none
