As we await the knock-out stages of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, one of the players who has made the biggest impact on the tournament thus far is Freddy Adu, captain of the U.S. team.
A poll on the fifa.com Web site asks the reader to select the best player thus far at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. At the time of writing, Adu is a close second behind Mexico's Gio Dos Santos.
Adu has had enough ups and downs in his short career that you'd think he's in his late 20s. He became the youngest player ever to play in MLS at the age of 14. But criticism about his lack of maturity dogged him and Adu received a suspension in his first season for complaining to the media about his lack of playing time. Much debate has taken place about how much pressure he's been under and its effects on his play and life.
Adu is writing a new chapter in his life these days as he leads the U.S. into the round of 16. "When I'm having fun, I play my best," Adu told reporters after the U.S. upset Brazil 2–1 in Ottawa, Canada last Friday night.
"It's been a long road. It's been a long time coming."
Adu's focus is on having fun and enjoying himself as he tries to get away from the pressure and questions about a future in Europe. "Everything is now. You can't get carried away about the past. It's 'What have you done for me now?'"
Adu took center stage in the FIFA U-20 World Cup by scoring a hat-trick in a 6–1 demolition of Poland. His coach Thomas Rongen said, "Freddy played the perfect game against Poland. He's taking the rest of the team with him."
Against Brazil, Adu again lead by example, setting up the winning goal. "I was caught in two minds. I just hit it across the mouth of goal and it landed at Josie's [Josmer Altidore] feet."
Adu also received praise from Brazil's coach Nelson Rodrigues: "He is a very skillful player. He's got the characteristics of a South American player as well."
Adu was involved in all aspects of the game—creating scoring opportunities, making tackles, and relentlessly hassling Brazil's keeper.
Adu knows what works for him. His motto is to just have fun. "I'm in my own little world. I want to just have fun. It's on the background of my computer. Just have fun."
That sounds appropriate enough for the 18-year old. But he also realizes the enormous responsibility placed on his shoulders.
"I'm very proud to captain a U.S. team to a win against Brazil. When I look back on this someday, I can say 'That was a great achievement.'"
The U.S. came out on top of Group D, appropriately referred to as the 'Group of Death' by the Americans and Brazilians because of the quality of all the teams in the group. They will face Uruguay in Toronto on Wednesday in the round of 16.
Naturally, Adu is very optimistic about his team's chances. "We've got so many weapons. You can't key on one person or the other guys will hurt you. Against Poland it was me and [Danny] Szetela. Today Josie.
"The U.S. is starting to develop the talent. We can play with anybody."
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