Saturday, April 03, 2004
Much Adu about Freddy, Major League Soccer's bright new star (4/12/04)
Much Adu About Freddy
Last weekend, Freddy Adu took the soccer field for D.C. United as the youngest member of a major U.S. pro team in over a century. Or is he? Critics doubt that the 5-foot, 8-inch 140-pounder is only 14, but Adu says he has the documents to prove it. In case his paycheck is too small, the Ghanaian immigrant (and recent high school grad) also has a million-dollar endorsement deal with Nike.
You shot a soda ad with soccer legend Pele. What advice did he give you?
He told me God gave me the talent, so it's up to me to use it right.
Why D.C. United instead of one of the big European clubs?
I felt this was the best possible place for me to develop as a person and as a player. I get to be close to my family [who came to Washington in 1997]. I'm only 14; I've got a lot of time, so why not take it slow?
You already bought your mom a house. What's next--car shopping?
I still have a year and a half before I can drive. I'm taking it easy on the shopping. Besides, my mom wouldn't let me buy anything big.
You took a lot of tough tackles and other physical abuse in international youth tournaments. Are you worried the pros will be even harder on you?
My teammates knock me around in practice, so if that happens in a game, I'm used to it. I'm just going to use what I have to my advantage, which is my quickness.
How does it feel to be one of the highest-paid teenagers on the planet?
I feel the same, but now I have a big X on my back that makes it harder. When I made this decision I didn't think it was going to be easy, so I just have to deal with it and play.
Do you have a pregame ritual?
I listen to Eminem and Ludacris. It pumps me up. -Matthew Benjamin
Much Adu About Freddy
Last weekend, Freddy Adu took the soccer field for D.C. United as the youngest member of a major U.S. pro team in over a century. Or is he? Critics doubt that the 5-foot, 8-inch 140-pounder is only 14, but Adu says he has the documents to prove it. In case his paycheck is too small, the Ghanaian immigrant (and recent high school grad) also has a million-dollar endorsement deal with Nike.
You shot a soda ad with soccer legend Pele. What advice did he give you?
He told me God gave me the talent, so it's up to me to use it right.
Why D.C. United instead of one of the big European clubs?
I felt this was the best possible place for me to develop as a person and as a player. I get to be close to my family [who came to Washington in 1997]. I'm only 14; I've got a lot of time, so why not take it slow?
You already bought your mom a house. What's next--car shopping?
I still have a year and a half before I can drive. I'm taking it easy on the shopping. Besides, my mom wouldn't let me buy anything big.
You took a lot of tough tackles and other physical abuse in international youth tournaments. Are you worried the pros will be even harder on you?
My teammates knock me around in practice, so if that happens in a game, I'm used to it. I'm just going to use what I have to my advantage, which is my quickness.
How does it feel to be one of the highest-paid teenagers on the planet?
I feel the same, but now I have a big X on my back that makes it harder. When I made this decision I didn't think it was going to be easy, so I just have to deal with it and play.
Do you have a pregame ritual?
I listen to Eminem and Ludacris. It pumps me up. -Matthew Benjamin
