Look in the Oct. 7 Sports Illustrated, page 78, ("America's Best Sports Colleges") and find a full-page ad entitled: Old Spice Athlete of the Month: Freddy Phenom. "Adu, 13 has caused a big to-do with speed and scoring skills that belie his youth." About 5 paragraphs follow. And, a great quarter-page photo of Freddy in US team kit. Also in a caption at the bottom: "10 years of Old Spice Athletes of the Month: "Taylor Twellman, the October 1997 Old Spice Athlete of the Month, is currently a striker for the New England Revolution. He won the 2002 MLS scoring crown with 23 goals and six assists."
Freddy may have other commitments to youth teams, though. Don't forget, he's still not a US citizen. I think it happens very soon, though. It would have to for him to play in a FIFA-sanctioned match, which this friendly wouldn't be.
I think so. But then, I'm too lazy to look his info up on the Revs' site. Actually, it lists his birthdate as 2.29.80, so in '97, he was only 17... probably still in high school. ...thus giving Old Spice a better record of predicting future success than some other prognosticators I can think of.
this may be a stupid thought, but even if freddy "the freak" adu was a citizen, wouldn't the child labor laws prevent him from playing before he was 16 years old? even more odd, although there are federal standards, doesn't each state have its own set of laws pertaining to this - curfew, number of hours per week, etc. i know that it is easy to have fun with such questions - note from him mother, scheduling practices in the middle of the day (after school, but before dinner), giving him lunch money for the team brunch - but i am sort of serious with the question.
In Virginia you can work at 14 but you have to get a work permit through your school, IIRC. I had a job when I was 14 at the legendary and now defunct Chesapeak Bay Seafood house
Same thing in Indiana, although i think you can maybe work at 13. I think as long as you're in high school.
Did you go right into the first team, or did the send you to the reserves for seasoning (Old Bay perhaps)?
You are incorrect, Sir.... HIGHOOOOOOOOOOH Actually, in 1997, Taylor Twellman was a junior in highschool at Saint Louis University High. I had to dig out my yearbook from 1996 to check. The school I attended beat Twellman's team in the State soccer final (Taylor missed a potential game tying PK) in 1996. I'm a year older than Taylor, so in 1996 he was a sophomore. Thus, in 1997.... well, i'll let you guys do the addition.