By Benno Hansen
"Freddy Adu's Portuguese fall"
A look at Freddy Adu's first half-season in Europe.
Fredua Koranteng "Freddy" Adu left MLS' Real Salt Lake for world famous SL Benfica on the 30th of July 2007. Being USA's brightest hope for the future - youngest ever to appear in professional sports, youngest ever to score in the "soccer" league - the Ghanesian-American's progress must have the interest of most American soccer fans. Because how well will MLS' most talented do in European leagues? Let us take a look at Freddy Adu's fall season in Portugal.
Making commies love America
Washington Post did a Christmas article on Freddy Adu (Washington Post / On His Own, Adu Has Grown) in which an assistant to the U.S. ambassador to Portugal tells of receiving an email from a Communist member of the Portuguese parliament after Freddy's third goal simply saying "I love America".
"Average fans start shouting 'O Americano' shortly after halftime at most games, when, sadly, Benfica is usually scoreless. When he starts to warm up they start cheering in a way they never do for Angel DiMaria, Nuno Gomes, or the other strikers." - Troy Fitrell, assistant to the U.S. ambassador to Portugal to Washington Post.
Freddy's role has been that of a power-sub. Neither more nor less than expected. Well, maybe more considering his dirt cheap price tag at just 2 million US$. The Portuguese league is currently ranked 8th in Europe. And that's a significant step up from the MLS. But he's making his way onwards.
"I'm in a place where I'm really wanted and where I'm treated well and my teammates have accepted me and I've found coaches that bring out the best in me. It's been a blessing. [...] It's hard for American players to earn any kind of respect in Europe. So I had to prove that I belonged to be there and I can make a difference." - Freddy Adu to Washington Post.
That's 13 games total. But most of them just about 10 minutes playing time towards the end of the game. Five goals and zero assists.
The Rest of the Story HERE
FREDDY ADU SHOW (Compilation)
Sources: newsvine.com, youtube.com-bigsocce
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