Granted there is a 2.5 year age difference between the two (if you accept the validity of Adu's Ghanan-verified birthdate), but I don't understand why Freddy Adu gets dubbed teenage superstar and receives the lionshare of attention of the entire MLS, while Eddie Gaven, who is performing superbly for the NJ MetroStars (who are leading DC United by 3 points at the top of the Eastern Conference) and today earned his first cap on the USMNT is left hardly noticed by the media or fans. Adu rarely even starts for his club DC United, while Gaven is a regular starter for the Metrostars with over 1300 playing minutes (Adu has under 700 minutes). Gaven already has four goals and five assists (two of which were game winners) to date, while Adu has a respectable but hardly impressive two goals and one assist. That puts Gaven in the top ten of all MLS point scorers. Gaven is also the youngest player ever to have been selected to start an All-Star game, in which he will represent the East on July 31st at RFK Stadium against the Western Conference. But for me, his appearance tonight on the U.S. Men's National Team is the most impressive feat yet. He subbed in at the 82nd minute, making him the 4th youngest player ever to get a cap for the USMNT, and they quickly leveled the score with a headball by Bocanegra. Bocranegra, in fact, credited the opportunity as being created by Gaven. "(Gaven) just backed his guy and himself into my defender," Bocanegera said. "I just kind of ran on and Landon served a nice ball." Don't get me wrong. I'm not a Freddy-hater. But Adu has yet to impress me at the MLS level, or even at the U-20 National level. It is simply to early to tell whether he will suceed or not. He was great at the U-17 level, and I imagine he will start to stand out on the U-20 team as he plays more matched with them. I of course have the greatest hopes for him, and hope he will be eventually be present on USMNT. But it is Gaven who you should be looking out for in Germany in 2006.
Dude, 2 years is a HUGE difference at that age. Freddy's MLS problems are all related to stuff anyone w/half a mind would expect (lack of physical maturity, lack of experience and sophisticated, cohesion w/teammates, workrate). The one unquestioned thing is his talent. Since the beginning of the season, even many critics think he's as good a "passer" as anyone on DC United. As a method of comparison, you can only compare Gaven's FIRST year and Freddy's first year at this time. If you want to compare SECOND years, at least give Fred the ability to have one first....The raving one hears about Gaven now (unquestionably somewhat deserved) did not really exist last year (he was a 'show-me')....One year difference at this age will do that (to a talented kid).. Beasley also had, in many ways, an awkward first year.. Why would you want Gaven exposed to Freddy's media circus? The current Gaven program seems to be working just fine.. Later articles got the quote wrong (BTW)- it was Eddie (Pope) not (Gaven) that set the pick. They mixed up Eddies...
I agree with pretty much everything you say, but what I'm talking about is who should be given credit as the best young player NOW. Not in one or two seasons, but this season. Sure, I hope Adu to develop his maturity and be even better next season. But that is certainly not assured to occur. We'll compare second season's once Adu has one. The one thing I don't agree on is passing. Too often I see Adu challenge 2, 3, or more guys on his own. He's incredible about getting through one or two, but he would be better off getting rid of the ball when he's in such trouble. He's no Maradona... I just want credit given, where credit is deserved. And if that means more media attention for Gaven, that's fine. The more players whose names become well-known, the better for soccer in the US. And I doubt Gaven would mind having a big endorsement contract or two. I'll trust you on that one, since I can't see a replay at the moment. I just remember being so relieved that we at least brought it even. Thanks for the info.
Just be happy that we have in Gaven (provided MLS doesn't screw it up) our first $10M transfer. Yes, pure speculation, but he's a rockstar (because he looks like Kid Rock) on the pitch and only 17. He's FAR better than LD and Beas were at 17. Gaven, MaGee, Dempsey, Adu...SSS will be popping up like mushrooms on these guys' transfers in a few years...
Gaven is the teenage sensation and will have the impact in the 2006 similar to Beasley and Donovan in the last WC. As for who is still the US Golden Boy it remains to be Landon Donovan. I tried my best to not jump on the bandwagon but he is by far the best player in the national team pool.
A couple of years ago all we had was Landon "Baby Jesus" Donovan. Now we have Gaven and Adu and all sorts of good young players popping out of nowhere. Is this a problem? Hey, just enjoy it, Dude.
I for one have been very impressed by Gaven, he has shown a lot of improvement over last season. I'm very skeptical of Adu, have been from the begining. He is a great player, and the problem most of United fans seem to have is exactly what you all have already said, he gets through 1 or 2 defenders well, but when he tries to take on the whole team, well, we all know what the result is. He needs another year to develop as a player, his size is a major issue, he's just doesn't have the strength to plow through defenders like most 23 year old players do. Gaven should consider himself pretty lucky to be able to escape the radar of the media. It allows him to focus on playing and not on his image which I saw is probably Freddy's biggest problem. I mean look at some of the recent articles about him, and some of his slip-ups. Oh I'm not getting enough playing time, etc. Gaven rightful earned a spot on the All-Star team, and Freddy is left to get the Commish's pick. That should say a lot to you, and all the "I hate Freddy" people.
He is NOT FAR BETTER then Landon at 17. Some things Eddie does better, but I'd say more then 50% of the things Landon did better, but it is irrelevant since they both have tons of potential still...the only difference being Landon has fufilled (mightily) some very important objectives at an early age (WC performance, 2 MLS championships in which he played a huge role). Let's not go too ape-********e here. Gaven's been terrific, but Landon's accomplishments speak for themselves...I'd be overjoyed if Gaven can have a 18-22 year old period like Landon (of that quality)..
True. Eddie now drives himself to work. He da man. Freddy da boy, but give him a year. He's already getting more experience than Gaven did in his first season, and -- needs to be said again -- Freddy is two years younger. Freddy is serving his apprenticeship. Judge him accordingly, and have patience.
I love this martyr complex stuff. Don't forget the mythical hate Convey people and hate Donovan people. No Americans (or nearly none) hate these guys. Quite the contrary, they have their asses kissed constantly. This isn't exactly Beckham debuting for England with Liverpool and Newcastle fans out for blood, or some Real Madrid guy playing for Spain with a Barca fan rooting for him to fail. We're all nicey-nice here.
I think Freddy's biggest issue is going to be mental. HE is going to be patient and keep his chin up when the media and press get down on him.. He had unrealistic expectations from the outset, and we are seeing the results... in 2 years, once he fills out, he will be fine. How he mentally holds up until then is crucial..
Adu is where Gaven was in his rookie year. Thats two years further in his progression than gaven. I think we could see 10 goals by freddy next season, and in his 3rd season he will be a top 5 player in the league.
Well I put it to you this way, if anything I feel bad for the kid. I mean 15 y.o. and he's got this kinda pressure.... if I were in his shoes at 15, I'd of had a total meltdown. I give him props for being as umm level-headed as he has been, buy the hype has gotten to him, and there is a lot of work to be done before he is ever "Freddy Adu international superstar!"
I would not trade Gaven straight up for Freddy right now, BUT.. Adu is more talented than Gaven and will be a far better player some day if DC United doesn't ruin him. That said, Gaven is unreal. He's got it all, and will be a world class star soonest.
I agree. That's the timetable (been saying since June/July LAST year), and I don't see anything that changes it yet. Every youngster who started in MLS early (from Donovan to Beasley to Convey, etc.) were physically overmatched their first year...they get stronger, and learn to anticipate better. This fact alone (being able to physically compete) frees up the rest of their game and they start to show the player they really are. In the case of Fred, the tricks will really come out then. Its hard to be yourself when you are looking for the next hit. All part of the learning process, but (one of the) easiest things to learn IMO. It just happens happens naturally....(unlike skill or the ability to beat guys 1v1, etc) You can see how the extra year has helped Gaven in that-physically- he can hold his own. Fred will always be undersized, but next year he'll be 10-15 lbs heavier, thicker, and wiser. Makes a big difference...
As a teenage sensation, Freddy has one thing Gaven does not -- he puts fannies in the seats, pure and simple, by the tens of thousands. Not to criticize Gaven, he is a fine player, no doubt about it. But as has been pointed out on numerous occasions on bigsoccer, the All-Star game is as much about popularity as it is about talent and accomplishments. Insofar as the All-Star game itself is concerned, with no Freddy you are looking at an attendance of maybe 16,000. With Freddy, you have a good chance of getting 26,000, and a much better atmosphere and look on TV. If you are the commissioner, on whom do bestow the Commissioner's Pick?
Not to nitpick, but the kid is 15, and still has alot of potential for gaining height.... He could easily be 6', 175 by the time he is 20..
Its possible....Fro is tall. Freddy frame looks set to me (seen him 3 times live...pretty close), so I'm thinking he mostly get stronger, thicker (maybe inch or 2 more) but who knows? Freakish growth things can still happen to a kid his age... One thing's for certain: He will be more prepared for next season in so many ways (barring injury of course)
To qualify as a "teenage sensation" Gaven needs to show some personality on or off the field along with his excellent play. Adu and Donovan became popular thanks to their personality (Freddy) or abs (LD). Does Gaven bring some other quality to the table that will help make him a star with the young fans?
Not to nitpick, but Freddy was listed at his current height in a May 2002 SI interview. Anything is possible, but it certainly appears that he has reached his adult height.
Gaven needs like 11 hours of sleep. I swear..and less time getting stoned after practice. It'll be another 10 years before Adu refers to himself in the 3rd person.
I really don't think you can compare the two --- (If all the birth records are correct) Freddy debuted in the league at fourteen freaking years old. I mean does anyone understand how young that is. Gaven was 16. I think they are having very comparable first seasons so far which I would make Freddy better since he's supposed to be two years younger. What is even more impressive is what a kid can do to grown men. I don't think Eddie had as much control, skill on the ball, and technical skills as Freddy does halfway through their respective seasons. I think Gaven is the future of US soccer and I expect him to be a stalwart in the midfield after 2006, but I really don't think it makes sense to compare two players seasons when one is 17 and one is 15. Because the difference between 15 and 17 is huge as far as intelligence, strength, quickness, stamina, experience and so many other factors. If you really think about it Adu's having a similar rookie season to Gaven two years younger makes Freddy more impressive to Eddie. That's my opinion anyway. Let's wait till Freddy's 17 and then compare that season to Eddie's this year. For some reason I get the feeling that two years from now Freddy's gonna be on another level then Gaven was at 17. Which would be like the second coming of Christ for US soccer.