Grant Wahl on Freddy (and Freddy on United)

[Kenobi]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/grant_wahl/news/2003/02/27/wahl_soccer/


SI: Do you want to play in MLS?

Adu: It's certainly an option. Maybe if I get out of here a little quickly I could play in MLS until I'm about 18 and then just go overseas. There are talks going on about trying to get me to play in MLS for three years from 15 to 18. It would be nice to make it in a way I can just play with D.C. United (Adu's local team) because of my age.

[morrissey]

The other part of extreme interest was his drive to be a starter for the US in the 2006 WC. That should keep his skills improving if no other element can.

If his ultimate goal is starting for the US in 2006 then he will have ample time to improve his game. I like that he sets his goals high, but knows that he has the ability to reach them.

james

[DCAustinite]

Damn, that is one level-headed kid, and his mom is no slouch. It'll be fun to watch him for D.C. if it happens, but the nice thing to know is this kid will be okay in the deep water. Let's hope he gets to enjoy some time as a kid.

[dsheon]

That is one hellavan article!

[American40]

Let's hope he gets to enjoy some time as a kid.

Too late.

[DCAustinite]

Originally posted by American40
Too late.

Oh well, I guess he'll have to console himself by scoring three goals against guatemala, then.

[American40]

Would be nice to see, eh?

[TEConnor]

I love that mom and that kid. That should be required reading...wonderful work by Mr. Wahl. A world class piece, we don't see them too often, but I don't remember an article as intriguing since the WC.

Cheers,
Tim

[Lowecifer]

I loved the bit about him doing something amazing in training or a match and then thinking to himself "What did I just do there?"

Great article from Grant.

[Stogey23]

### DELETED DELETED DELETED DELETED ###

Great article.

[DCAustinite]

I bet that last comment gets deleted.

[sch2383]

I think this is the article about the article that will show up in this week's SI. But yeah, the part that he wants to play in DC for 3 years makes my day.

[Kenobi]

It was interesting to read the article in the print version of SI this week. As Grant says, here he expands on a lot of points raised in that article, and there's not much in the print article that shows Freddy's maturity and focus. He becomes a very impressive kid after you read the online article, not just a precocious athlete. I'm looking forward to seeing Freddy play. (And to more articles of this quality from Mr. Wahl.)

[sch2383]

[i] I'm looking forward to seeing Freddy play. [/B]

Who isn't?

[Jose L. Couso]

That was an AWESOME on-line article!

Thank you Mr. Wahl!

[mellon002]

Could someone please forward that article to a Mr. LeBron James and his mother.

[DigitalTron]

Great article! I would love to see Freddy play here for 3+ years. Hopefully, Hudson can make it happen. That would be a nice surprise to add him in the second half of the season.

-Tron

[speedcake]

I might just swallow my pride and go buy another issue of SI just for the full article.

This part from the online piece stood out to me, good stuff:

SI: In what ways have you improved since you came to Bradenton?

Adu: Movement off the ball. At first I would just stand there, and if I didn't get the ball I would just say, 'Pass the ball.' Then I figured it out: The better the competition, the more you have to move to get the ball. My game has changed a lot because of that. I've also learned how to take a defender with me and open up space for someone else.

My shot has gotten so much better too. I used to rush them and they'd go over the goal. Now I'm just driving the ball, and it feels good when the shot comes off your foot. My free kicks have gotten better. Sometimes you're not having a real good game, and the only way you can help your team is on set pieces. You have a free kick and boom, you score a goal. You've got to have different weapons, different ways of scoring.

[Th4119]

Another 3 championships for United if he joins.

;)