Adu could play for Ghana at the World Cup '06

[AreliusII]

...if he wanted to.
http://www.graphicghana.info/article.asp?artid=8566

[Super Phil]

Thank god he is choosing to play for the USA. I think they should have him on the roster for next years World Cup anyway. Even if he didn't play, he would still get to train with the team and enjoy the experience. He's clearly the future of American soccer.

[Rover]

American Soccer is bigger than one player. And certainly not an unproven teenager whose ego is bigger than than he'll ever get.

It takes more than some dribbling skills and a Nike contract to make it to the top. We've got plenty of talent in the USA.

[Super Phil]

Oh yeah...I just saw a thing on ESPN that he was suspended for DC's play-off game for 'conduct detrimental to the team'. What was that all about?

[Rover]

We don't know yet. They went out of their way to say that it wasn't because he was whining that his lack of playing time at DC had hurt his chances to make the World Cup roster.

If that's true, he must have sone something else incredibly stupid to get booted off the team for a playoff game.

Anyone still want this kid?

Send him to Europe--the original soccer school of hard knocks--so he can get a dose of reality. I'm beginning to think he may never achieve his potential while playing in MLS. He's treated like a star here even though he's done basically nothing to earn it.

If he goes to Europe he will either succeed on merit or be exposed as yet another could-have-been.

[Super Phil]

Just realize is that he is only 16 years old. I did so much stupid stuff at 16 it isn't even funny. Now just imagine that immaturity and throw about a million bucks on top of it. Considering all that, I think he's still doing remarkably well.

Plus, I got a real good view of the goal he scored at Rice-Eccles. It was pretty sweet!

[Jim Umber]

I don't think anyone is saying he doesn't have the talent. The problem is (and the million $ you mentioned certainly exacerbates it) is that he's a kid and has rather an inflated sense of his own worth. The plain fact that he can play at this level is simply amazing, but the real test is not if he can play at this level, but if he can outperform the veterans, and it looks like he is still working on that. Like many kids, he is blames his lack of playing time on the coach. He thinks he is being mistreated. But in actuality, he has some issues to work out on his own. The more loudly he complains, the less likely he is working on his own issues. He thinks he's "made it", but if he wants to actually succeed, and not be a flash in the pan, he needs to be constantly working on his skills and attitude, constantly trying harder, working harder than anyone else.

...which would also be an excellent suggestion for any of our boys who want to be around next year.

[GeNioS]

Originally Posted by Rover

Anyone still want this kid?

Uh...yes? He sells more tickets than anyone in the league and has amazing skill. Did you not see that goal against us...could be the goal of the year. He's 16 years old.

Originally Posted by Rover

Send him to Europe--the original soccer school of hard knocks--so he can get a dose of reality.

No one is going to have to send him. He'll go on his own and make 10 times more money and play better soccer. You say that like it's a punishment. It's a shame that there will be NOTHING the MLS can do to keep him.

Originally Posted by Rover

I'm beginning to think he may never achieve his potential while playing in MLS.

Was there ever a question about this? You can play next to Wayne Rooney or Clint Mathis....hmmm...that one is tough.

Originally Posted by Rover

He's treated like a star here even though he's done basically nothing to earn it.

Except play at the United States' best level of pro soccer at 15. And he's still there at 16. And he made RSL look stupid with his play, not his mouth.

Originally Posted by Rover

If he goes to Europe he will either succeed on merit or be exposed as yet another could-have-been.

As opposed to the people that go to Europe and succeed on something other? Being still very new to this game, I'm shocked that anyone would challenge him to leave. RSL had an amazingly difficult time just planning to build a stadium and you actually WANT a guy like Adu to go to Europe. If the MLS was at the point where Adu would be staying, building a stadium in the middle of temple square would be possible.

And why are people ticked off? Because he has a mouth? Well send half of RSL with him. They have used their mouths too, only they have complained about a whole lot less.

I'd take this kid and his mouth in a second. You get his play along with it.

[AreliusIII]

Originally Posted by Rover

We don't know yet. They went out of their way to say that it wasn't because he was whining that his lack of playing time at DC had hurt his chances to make the World Cup roster.

If that's true, he must have sone something else incredibly stupid to get booted off the team for a playoff game.

It actually appears that Adu's suspension was related to his public comments and the fact that he wouldn't apologize to his teammates.

"According to a source close to the situation, Adu was given until the pregame meal yesterday to apologize to teammates for his remarks. Nowak and some of the players had been upset about the timing of Adu's comments.

Adu decided not to address the team."

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2002576475_soccer22.html

[AreliusIII]

After complaining about his lack of playing time and its effects on his chances to play with the U.S. national team, millionaire soccer phenom Freddy Adu has been suspended by his team, D.C. United, The Washington Post reported.

The 16-year-old was suspended at Friday night's MLS playoff opener against the Chicago Fire after he did not apologize to his teammates for comments he made last week and implications that he might leave the team, according to a source close to the situation.

The source, who said did not want to be identified because of the sensitive nature of the situation, told The Post that Adu was given until the pregame meal Friday to apologize to his teammates for his remarks and that Coach Peter Nowak and some of the players had been upset about the timing of Adu's comments.

http://www.bet.com/News/adu_suspended.htm?wbc_purpose=Basic&WBCMODE=PresentationUnpublished&Referrer={03CE5360-2620-42CB-AD7E-77E4249C5FB7}