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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.)
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
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.