Remember when Freddy Adu could use his quickness and shifty moves to score impressive goals? It might seem like ages ago, and for some, you may not even remember, but the diminutive midfielder has scored some good goals in his career.
Adu flashed that old goal-scoring touch today, netting a pretty sweet left-footed shot that proved to be the game-winning goal in a 1-0 triumph for Turkish Second Division side Rizespor. Adu has enjoyed success since joining the promotion challengers, and is doing his part to elevate Rizespor to the Turkish First Division.
Here is Adu's goal from today:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU_YADBGWsg]
I dont want to hear about his past or his potential future, that goal was filthy! Great touch, great spin, perfect placement. Well done Freddy!
Loads of time to develop? I think by 21 your are the player ur gonna be. He is probably not gonna get any better.
http://www.noshortcorners.com/2011/03/freddinho-v-gazientep-individual-reel.html
Like you said mad skills….
for what its worth, he still is only 21 and has loads of time to develop before he can be considered a flame out (compared to someone like EJ who turns 27 this month)
Apart from Deuces and Donovan with skills and speed, who else “really stands” out with abilities to take on defenders, with the skills and ball control to turn up field and get by multiple midfielders/defenders??….like you said Adu has mad natural talent that going to develop GRADUALLY rather that SUDDENLY in the Bank Asya 1. League.
Average ball control skills and passing abilities is what the USMNT is made of, so the “most technically gifted” pool is not that much (Did you watch the Aston Villa vs Bolton game? Villa players had horrible touches, constantly turning the ball over, missing point blank range shots on goal. Why is this relevant? Bradley is warming the bench for a team like that!!!!)….food for thought.
That could seem likely.
very happy for the kid as well
Thanks for the extended clip. Freddy looked to have put in a strong 90 and was working hard up until the 90th.
Great vid! Thanks for the find. As nice as the goal was, Freddy’s best moment came after that bad offside call nullifies Freddy’s neatly-timed through ball. Replay shown about the 3:20 mark — gorgeous bit of volleying skill ending with a bicycle pass cross the six that nearly produces another assist but the header goes over the bar.
If the header had gone in, that would be shown worldwide. Fantastic skill.
He said better ball skills, not a better player. Chill.
Today I read an interesting article about Tracy McCrady that may apply to Freddy. The article discussed how McCardy’s skill level was so far above everyone else he developed poor practicing habits and work ethic. Is that the case with Freddy?
It’s not that. It’s this assumption by Freddy worshippers that all Adu has to do is put together a good run and he is automatically entitled to a position of greatness US soccer.
Adu has yet to prove himself capable of consistency; which is what a career is all about. It’s just not enough to have a couple of games here and there. He’s still mostly about hype.
If Dax McCarty had done what Freddy just did, no one would have noticed.
Let’s see where he is when the season is over.
And…I’m pretty sure I told you — It’s “should have” or “should’ve”.
Always nice to see glimpses of the Freddy that made such a splash earlier in his career – let’s hope he can keep it up. Great turn, wicked shot.
+1
Dude He’s talking about the comment that soccer john made “that it’s unusual to find that kind of space in top leagues”…where is that comparing Adu to Rooney? Rooney had lots of space to even do his bicycle kick goal…just like I was about to say Aston villa had 2 to 3 plays that it was just the fwd and goalie that they missed, so what he’s saying is that you have acres of space in defenses in the EPL. He’s not a great soccer player yet?? Do we have “great” soccer players on the USMNT yet? The answer is no but Adu’s skill sets and abilities are among the best we have
Who compared anyone to Rooney?
Did you even bother to read the comment or did you just jump all over any comment that isn’t negative of Adu?
Yeah, Freddy Adu has more technical ability than any current midfielder.
Absolutely, and I am right.
are you serious?
Tell you what: let’s see what happens at the end of this season. I am not convinced he has hit rock bottom and realized that he’s always been his own worst enemy. If his team advances and he sticks it out without anyone hearing him hollering boo about what he’s worth but rather continues to play nice with others, then maybe I’ll start thinking this kid has had a change of heart, but until then, he has not really shown much new compared to what we already knew: The kid has a wicked natural talent but has never been much interested in acquiring the skill and discipline required of a professional.
Looked liked he had a decent all around game. Created some chances, was robbed of an assist on a very close offside call and seemed comfortable on the ball.
Adu highlights from the game for those who couldn’t hunt down a stream of the Turkish 2nd division game.
http://www.noshortcorners.com/2011/03/freddinho-v-gazientep-individual-reel.html
and we see how that turned out. Hopefully he can keep this up but there isn’t a worldwide conspiracy to keep Adu down…He’s almost like a Harlem Globetrotter..yeah he can do some neat tricks..but that doesn’t make him a great soccer player…yet
Did you just compare Adu to Rooney? Soccer IQ in the Atmosphere? Better ball skills than everyone except Holden? Look bro..we want Adu to shine and improve but lets be realistic..he’s not been sent on all these loans because he’s lighting it up. Is this a good start..yes…but he scored at Aris as well and generally (from what little, grainy video we could see) played well.
Really people?
One goal in a second Turkish Diviision and we’re all “Her-ca-leez! Her-ca-leez! Her-ca-leez!”
Please.
Couldn’t agree more.
The guy is arguably the most technically gifted player in the pool. The things he can do are world class, but he doesn’t have that “Michael Bradley hustle” so he is discounted.
He has twice the ball skills of every midfielder except probably holden.
Like the goal Rooney scored against Chelsea where they just allowed him a free shot from 18 yards?
That kind of space?
I am not his biggest fan, but atleast he is dressing for matches, starting a few, and scoring. Sure, it might be in the Turkish second division, but hey, it’s better than nothing.
Good for him.
That’s a nice enough goal–though it must be said that it’s unusual to find that kind of space in top leagues. The thing that made me happiest was seeing the way his teammates happily mobbed him. If their reaction is any indication, he’s fitting in well. Positive atmosphere, positive results…it’d be really nice to see Freddy rebuild some positive momentum.
I like the way people still throw in the Bank Asya 1. League comments, (added to the already “he’s too slow”, “he’s too small”, “he has no technical skills” and “he’s just overrated””, and it really makes you wonder about people’s judgement of talent.
A perfect spin and shoot….that could have force the best out of Van der saar or any goal keeper in the EPL and the praises still have a degrading or inferior touch.
Love him or hate him Adu is one of our most talented/skilled players in the US Pool. He’s proved that when playing with Bradley, Altidore, Robbie Rogers, Zizzo, holden, Edu, Kljestan etc.
Damn, after hearing the chants in the stadium for Freddy, haters are going to be mad for a while with him in turkey….
So great to see Freddy doing well. Is he in contract in Benfica. Maybe they will consider bringing him into the first team if he keeps this up.
Good to hear some love for him.
Nice curving shot.
Bless the announcer.
Announcer: “Freddy”
The masses:”ADU”
x2
This would be good with an overdub of “Working My Way Back to You” by The Four Tops.
C’mon Freddie!
Low soccer IQ?
The kid’s soccer IQ is in the atmosphere. He’s a central attacking midfielder, they rarely play much defense.
Doesn’t play defense very well, lack of a physical presence, low soccer IQ, not the greatest work eithic…
How true all that is, I obviously don’t know but that’s a list of things that have been thrown out there through various sources about why Adu “falls out of favor with coaches”
(I don’t mind piling on here) Great goal. Good on ya, Freddie! Hope you have found a home, and some peace of mind.
how much worse can Adu be than Bedoya out on the wing?
LOL. This.
Nice shot! Them is some wily old veteran skillz! Who says twenty-eight year olds can’t ball?
Nifty little finish…. I told you guys he should of been on the world cup squad.
HYPE-MACHINE RE:CONNECTED
Good goal, don’t care whether he scored this goal it in Turkey D2 league or in high school match. A good goal is a goal.
His haters would hate him even if he scored this goal in the EPL.
Where are the Adu Jokes now!!! Damn, the kid is slapping haters in the face. 3 games 2 assists and a goal…helping his team move towards their progression into the turkey superlig. Put the Adu in a position where he can progress gradually instead of suddenly and this is the result. More power to him…..If he can grow with this team and move to the turkey superlig, Adu will do great things…..
He continues to show why he is arguably the most technically skilled player the US has had in a long time.
If only he could figure out whatever it is that is causing him to fall out of favour with coaches.
Great goal, hopefully it builds up his confidence. Hell it’d be amazing if they win promotion, that’d be a great experience for him. The chant for him afterwards was amazing. This makes me happy.
the same here
well done to freddy, i constantly hate on him on this board but this was very well done. regardless of division this was tremendous. good luck to him
Freddy’s back
absolutely. Go Freddy.
I think he needs to replace Jr. in midfield. Freddie is SO in form right now.
Drip…drip…
Can’t help but be happy for the kid. Great scenes.
Love the chant after the goal!