By FRANCO PANIZO
HOUSTON, Texas – Freddy Adu won't take it for granted. Not anymore.
After a near two-year hiatus, Adu made his return to the U.S. men's national team as second-half substitute in its Gold Cup semifinals match against Panama on Wednesday night at Reliant Stadium. It was the first time since a Gold Cup group stage match against Honduras on July 8, 2009 that Adu had played for the United States, and a moment he had long waited and worked hard for.
"I haven't stepped on the field for the national team in two years," said Adu. "To get a chance to be out there, I was very happy and fortunate and I just wanted to reward the coach's faith in me."
He accomplished that and maybe more as he helped create the lone goal in a tight contest against a Panamanian team that had been denying the Americans any clear looks on goals with physical and disciplined defending.
11 minutes after stepping onto the field and following a play in which the U.S. team played the ball well out of its back, Adu received a pass near midfield before unleashing a picture-perfect through ball that found fellow substitute Landon Donovan on the right flank in the 77th minute. Donovan took a couple of touches and then unleashed a driven cross that Clint Dempsey tapped home from close range.
Just like that, the Americans were looking at a place in the finals. And just like that, Adu had made an impact during a time when many questioned his inclusion on the U.S. roster.
""From the start of this camp, Freddy's made progress and so the opportunity tonight was earned on his part," said head coach Bob Bradley. "You could see him getting sharper. You could see confidence coming back. We had him on the bench the other day (versus Jamaica) with the thought that he could come in at a certain point and help. I thought the timing for tonight worked and again he was a nice part of the play that led to the goal and it's important for him. He's earned his way. He earned this opportunity."
Bradley also pointed out during his post-game press conference that Adu is a more mature player and person than he was a couple years ago, as he entered this summer's camp with a more professional approach. Bradley also gave respect to one of Adu's most recent decisions.
"When you see a player that goes to the second division in Turkey to keep things going in his career, that tells you something," said Bradley. "You can tell that when he got a chance in this camp, he appreciated it. He certainly had, when I say he's matured, it shows in the way he comes in, in the way he acts, in the way he trains, he knows what's expected.
"I said it earlier, actually I didn't say this part: He didn't start out this camp great. There were days early on where regaining confidence, the speed sometimes in training, there were a lot of days that didn't go great. But you could see over time that it was starting to get better and better and we feel like when we have a chance to have our group together for three weeks, four weeks, that you see this, and that's a good sign."
Adu's teammates said similar things after the game, with Donovan even saying that Bradley "certainly stuck his neck out by bringing him here and Freddy wants to reward him."
That mission was accomplished, and Adu's message after the game was clear: he truly appreciated and enjoyed being back in the national team picture, having been forced to watch for nearly two years as he tried to sort things out at the club level.
"In a lot of different ways I took it for granted before," said Adu. "When you haven't been here for a while and you get a chance to be here, you really appreciate just being around the guys and just being on a national team and just knowing you really have to earn it, you really do. But once you get in, you have to keep working hard and keep getting better to get a chance to play."
Adu made it count when he got his chance, and although he didn't score the goal or deliver the assist, his role in the play that led up to Dempsey's finish was equally as important.
That's not to say that Adu is ready for a starting spot already. But it's also not to say that teammates like Tim Howard don't appreciate what the small but gifted attacker brings to the table.
"I love Freddy, I'm a fan of Freddy," said Howard. "He's a different type of player. He brings things to the team that not a lot of players can do. He's got God-given ability that can't be taught. Tonight was an example of that. He played unselfishly, passed the ball, the weight of his passes are crisp and clean, the right weight, and he can take people on. He's very good.
"I was glad to see him back. He's been eager, he's been chomping at the bit, he's been patient, he's been humble. It was good to see him put in a performance like that because it's important for us – it's important for him, but important for us."
As good as he is, Adu was one of the more questioned selections when Bradley announced his roster for the Gold Cup. But Bradley saw it was a reward for Adu's hard work, and although Adu didn't know whether or not he'd play, he was ready to seize the moment if it ever came.
"Mentally, you always have to be prepared because you never know when you're going to be thrown in," said Adu. "It's been a long road back to actually playing for the national team again, and you really have to be prepared if you get that chance to be out on the field. You want to be here, you want to represent your country. This is a level that you want to play at."
Adu won't take take the national team for granted. Not anymore.
I didn’t last night, but I have Verizon and for a period of several weeks I would sometimes get a message that I wasn’t subscribed to FSC (when in fact I was). Eventually it was determined to be a problem with my cable box. Got a new box and now it works fine.
This is a blog. It values timeliness and relevance to the blogs topic. Sometimes the articles will have errors and seem hastly written. If you want to read a polished article then go to the Fox Soccer website.
This was great to see. His ball to Donovan was sublime. It’s better each time I watch the replay. The only thing that could make it better would be if it were accompanied by that Turkish house music that plays during all the Rizepor highlights.
The 4-2-3-1 formation, Adu’s continued maturity, and the jamming of the Turkish house music seem to be just what Adu needed to get himself back into the USMNT picture.
when is the cut off for the olympics? will he be eligible?
Hi Ives,
Make sure to proof your Fox article with the player ratings: you rated Donovan twice with Goodson not mentioned
I agree with Donovan on the wing. Hasn’t Bedoya been playing centrally for his club this year? Maybe try giving him the keys, since SK wasn’t getting it done.
good for freddy
It was good to see him. I thought he was nervous at first but then you could see his play Improve
“Franco, what the hell bro?!”…
Couldn’t be happier for Freddy. No 14 year old kid could handle the hype and expectations heaped on him. He is 22 and exactly where he deserves to be. Earning consistent time with his club team, earning his shot with the USMN team and earning time on the field in the Gold Cup. Here’s to hoping there’s more from where that came from…for his sake and for ours. Cheers, Feddy. Onward and upward…never give up…
This is a bit off-thread, but did anyone else have trouble with Fox Soccer last night? It was the only channel on my Comcast package that would not work. I just got a message saying the channel “Would be available soon.” So, I did not get to watch the match. What a drag!
I’m assuming it’s Freddy speaking in 3rd person…
We will not play a 4-4-2 against Mexico. Therefore, that means you are most likely sitting Adu for Sascha. My point is, why would one do that exactly?
I’m willing to bet that Dempey starts up top eithe way.
poor journalism here
I don’t think he can go the full 90, but I would rather dictate pace and tempo than wait to have it handed to us. The alternative is yesterday’s which maintained possession, but struggled to be dangerous moving forward.
I don’t see Agudelo (nor Altidore for that matter) as a lone striker. I think our immediate future will feature Holden with five mids and Altidore up top with Adu coming on late.
I could see us reverting to a 4 4 2 closer to WC as Dempsey and Donovan age and hopefully Adu, Agudelo, and Altidore grow.
No way. Sit Adu and start Juan up top with Dempsey.
Adu played well, but he’s not ready for the 90, let alone the 90 aganist MExico.
I’d prefer Donovan out wide. For whatever reason he seems lost in the middle of the field and can’t find the ball. Either Dempsey or Bedoya in the middle, with the interchanging. Let Donovan do his attacking from the flank.
I was very excited to see Adu getting in there. That was a great pass by him to LD to start off the play of goal. He played well. Still trying to do too much though.
I would use Adu in the same capacity that he was used tonight. A 70min sub or so. He has pace and talent on the ball that could be most utilized against a slightly more tired Mexican defense, and I’m not sure he can go at that speed for a full 90 yet…Just don’t know. I would definitely like to see him utilized as a super-sub again though.
I agree. I think Donovan starts. Donovan will have fresh legs and that’s what the U.S. needs against a Mexico side that just had a nasty battle with Honduras,plus an extra 30 minutes.
It appeared basic but it showed a vision few of even our top players have, and the weight and placement of the pass was absolutely perfect and thats something even our best players have struggled with. I’m not a fanboy, and still don’t believe he’s a starter. But he has skills that are unique among the USMNT and if he keeps his head on straight can be an asset to the team.
All the comments about him maturing and all that just makes me laugh thinking about how much of a self centered D*CK he probably was 3-4 years ago.
Better late than never. Kid still has the kind of natural ability few Americans possess and he is still has plenty of time to carve out a nice little career for himself.
+ 1
+1 I have always thought that the man on the scene (the Bob) sees a lot that we don’t and then all of us try to second guess him based on inuendo and rumor. Nothing can replace seeing the guys work in practice to know who is ready for what.
Although the team is still not playing great, they have improved and have a shot at the title. Mexico may have more talent than us right now, but talent isn’t everything. Let’s get after them and win this thing.
Go USA!!
Yeah, it’s totally unclear who to attribute the quote to. I would assume Bob, given that the majority of the quotes are from him. It sort of sounds like his speech pattern, but the part about loving Freddy and being a fan don’t sound like typical public Bob. So I’m not sure.
Nobody compaired him to anyone little Johnny….
Not quite sure Adu can go the full 90, and Agudelo’s movement will be key – Mexico’s center backs have lost a step.
I dont think anyone even came close to saying something like that but u have to be honest, Freddie has the talent and skill level with the ball at his feet that most American players even stalwarts on our national team cant even compete with.
The great thing is we are starting to see 2,3, even 4 players with that kind of skill on the same US youth teams every year.
Yeah, who said these things?
Nobody compaired him to anyone….
Who said that last quote?
Adu should start against Mexico. This is the lineup I would like to see:
Dempsey
Bedoya – Jones – Adu – Bradley – Donovan
Lichaj – Bocanegra – Goodsen – Cherundolo
I haven’t seen enough from Agudelo to merit the start. Dempsey has been active around the net the entire tournament. We need Adu’s creativity in the middle sans Holden and not playing 4 4 2.
Bring Agudelo or Edu on as needed.
troll 😉
yah no kidding…
No matter what we’ve all said about Adu in the last few years, he showed last night that he’s still an exciting player. You could feel the anticipation of him stepping on the field last night even just watching it on tv. I’m not trying to re-crown him the savior of U.S. soccer, but it’s not too late for him to become what everyone thought he was going to be.
+2– Attribution please….
I also just clicked on ad, so I don’t feel bad forcing Franco to clean up his piece (instead of me looking it up myslef)
🙂
Yet it happens how often? And how often is it weighted that perfectly?
Agreed. Straight swap – Donovan for Kljestan.
The added benefit is that Donovan, Dempsey, and Bedoya are all interchangeable. If I were Bradley, I’d tell them to change positions every 5 minutes. It will be very hard to keep track of whom.
my thoughts exactly. The quotes immediately prior are from Adu himself, so that doesn’t resolve it.
He let the ball roll across his body before hitting a cross-field, inch-perfect pass,while leaning the other way, that bent around the defender and landed perfectly for Donovan to corral. If you can’t see the skill in that, then you’re hopeless.
And no one is comparing him to anyone. USMNT fans have always said that he’s had a ridiculous amount of skill but were frustrated. His inclusion into a very important game after a 2 year hiatus led directly to the game’s only goal. Singing his praises are justified.
freddy made a huge impact on this game. i say donovan needs to start v mexico and freddy ahould be the super-sub
+1, i was wondering that, too
You got to give Bob credit for putting him in. Maybe the guy knows more than us about how to manage the team…?
I heard a rumor about Adu going to the Galaxy last year. Maybe those rumors should re-surface and become a reality.
He picked up his head and opened the field to a wide open Donovan on the flank. Pretty basic stuff. Let’s not compare him to Xavi yet.
It’s a long road that isn’t over yet. He needs to keep working hard. I hope he will.
The last 3 paragraphs are quotes but I cannot see who they are attributed to. sorry If I missed that but I would like to know if that is a teammate or Bradley. Thanks.
I meant 22 🙂
Glad to see Freddy maturing.
Let’s be real people, he’s only 20!