Do you think Adu will be on the 2006 World Cup roster? Yes, I know we need to qualify and it's hardly a 100% certainty, but for the purpose of this poll, let's assume automatic qualification. Like 99.9% of people here, I have no idea how good this guy is aside from all the glowing reports. My only view at this point is that if he is as good as people say, I want him in Germany. I could care less about experience.
I doubt that he'll be able to compete at that level any time soon. Even at 17, he'll still be too light in the arse. One bad tackle from an angry Blanco could be a career ender. But since it's Arena's call in 2006, you never know. But, you can definitly look for him in the Olympics.
At 13 he is about as thick as Beasley, so I don't think his size will hold him back. I don't expect to see him play much in qualifying, but once we are in, Arena will give him a chance to play (a la Beasely) and earn a spot. My gut says, yes, he will play in Germany.
At this point Arena has the roster wide open. Three years from now, if we qualify, nobody now is a given. Donovan, DMB, JOB, nobody. ADU has a better shot than ABMOD. If Adu deserves the call up, Arena will make the call.
Have you seen pictures of him? He's already got more meat on his bones than Beasley. I read an article online recently (may have been the New York Times piece) that lists him as 5'8", 150lbs.
I think it's a lot to expect from the kid. From all reports he's an incredible talent, but lets not put too much pressure on him. He scored 2 against the Fire the other day, but I also read that in a scrimmage against the US Men he and Gaven were neutrilized rather easily. I think he'll be a starter in MLS(if Europe doesn't make him an offer he can't refuse) in 2006, but I'm not sure he'll be ready to contribute at the full international level. WC 2006 is still 3.5 years away, so a lot could happen. I hope he proves me wrong, but I think it's too early.
very likely. 1..I dont think size is an issue, as he is already beasleys size (as was already pointed out), plus he is still growing 2. Arena has repeatedly been quoted as saying "we need our most talented players on the field." in others words make room somewhere on th efield for the best ones.. Adu will most certainly be one of these.. I see him coming on as a 2nd half substitute
Everyone needs to take a chill pill concerning Mr. Adu. The kid has only been a teenager for 8 months.
Actually, he looks thicker--but I didn't want to over state the case. It's not unreasonable to expect him to be 5'10"+ and 170/175 by 2006. That's decent size.
If he's 5-8 150 at 13, I think he could be bigger than even that...perhaps 6-0 190...either way, he will be more physically developed than DMB, and will probably have started in MLS for at least a season. Either way, we have established that size is not completely the determining factor to success...look at Owen and Maradona... This could answer some age questions too...if he doesn't grow much from this point on, then you could infer that he is actually older than they say. I don't think he is older...just a good way to judge that, though.
I think with the sensitivity regarding the birth dates of a number of Latin American baseball players, the USSF has been pretty careful with him. They seem to think his age is legit. As for my estimates, I was being conservative. You are right about size, but being too small, like Beasely, is a concern. (He will get the #@&! knocked out of him until he proves he can take it). But if Edu gets bigger by 17, then he'll be a nice match up front with Donovan. (I'd love to see him paired with another forward that shares his vision and speed of thought.
Freddy will be 17 by then.....I do not know if he'll play or start or whatever....all I know is that Ronaldo was 17 and made the Brazilian World Cup squad in 94....if hes evertything they say he is...hes got a decent shot....LD got his first call up when he was 17, he he gets called up and makes an impact, he might make the team... we'll see..... -PB20
We also could see him on the team in the World Cup, but only along for the experience ala Ronaldo in '94. He didn't play for Brazil and was supposedly only there to see what it was all about. Adu will be 17 or nearly 17, by the next world cup. It is doubtful that he will be capped by the full national team before he is 17, but it isn't out of the realm of possibility. If he is starting for whatever club he is playing for by then, and doing well, he will be in the mix, period. However, I tend to lean towards thinking that he will not be ready to really contribute in the World Cup and Arena will select a more experienced player. For the 2010 World Cup Adu will only be a year or so older than Donovan and Beasley were for their first World Cup starts and by then we will really know what the kid is all about. All this considering he doesn't tank, burn out very young, or just become too tall and big to keep playing soccer anymore. knock on wood
And we're not Brasil, as everyone knows. Just judging by what Arena has said, it sounds like Freddy has a good shot to make the squad if he keeps up the progress (he put two past Zach Thorton last night). Whether he'll get in a game is a different question.
exactly, which is why Arena would pick someone he feels he would actually use. I believe Adu has a tough hill to climb if he wants to make the World Cup team by 2006. It is possible and I'd love to see him really lighting things up, but I imagine there is going to be great debate the older Adu gets and the closer the next Cup gets.
You know he is 5'8 and 150 right? I mean that's optimal size for soccer. In 3 and a half years at age 17 I would think he could be 6'0 and 170, which is larger than some of our guys now.
Normally, there is a lot of growth between 14 and 16 years of age, as you likely know. He may end up at 6' and 175 or more by the time he is fully grown. edit: lol .. I didn't notice you said the same thing as I was quoting you...
I don't know how much bigger he will get, but he will definitely get stronger and faster. From pictures I have seen, he still looks smaller than his mother (hard to tell though), so I am guessing he will grow at least a few more inches. Scottie Pippen grew six inches in college, for what it is worth... Anyway, he isn't a midget or anything, and is already heavier than Beasley (who isn't?). I would not be at all surprised to see him get a few minutes in 2006, if everything pans out.
no need to worry it's obvious that he will grow, he's 13, kid's his age grow like weeds. I think unless he get's injured, he's 100% in. like other said before, we're not Brazil, we can't afford to bench a player like Ronaldo, we don't have Edmundo and Romario on deck. And, with recent Reyna injuries at Sunderland, it looks like he won't be back for the USNMT, I'm hoping Donovan or Adu and fill his position. Here's what I see as the US attacking line up. Donovan or Adu at AM and ST swaping during the game and McBride the other ST, Why McBride? Head and experience, unless we have a bigger Striker on deck, I see McBride picked for USNMT. I would really love to see Adu at AM, kinda like the Zidane role, because I've hear so much about his vision, almost every article mentions his vision as compared to other players. I don't think our concern should be weather Adu will be on the team, but will he live up to his performance so far(5Goals, 4Assist) in the 2006WC final game against England facing the equally talented Roonaldo. But on a serious note, our main concern should be our Defense, especially on the flanks. I really don't see Convey and Victorine out there, I really hope our Defensive youngsters overseas or MLS has an amazing improvement soon. I've heard good things about Spector(Spencer?). hopefully the ManU system can improve him the way OShea and Brown has. To take a youth at 17, they must see something in him. Hopefully.
small and scrawny? who said he's like beasley? http://ameriblog.blogfc.com/ looks like a fierce miniature version of Emile Heskey. NOthing like Beasley at all. How would you like that guy running at you, look at the face of ambition. Look at his eyes, that's vision. HIs, face looks old enough to be 30, if only his thighs can be a bit bigger.
Re: small and scrawny? I agree, all the beasley comparison make no sense. This kid hasnt even hit his gowth spurt yet, so its like compariong apples to oranges comparing him to a 20 year old. I wouldnt be surprised if he ends up 6'1 185..... He does look pretty jacked for a 13 year old..