Where Have You Gone Freddy Adu?

M.I.A.

Freddy Adu sure wishes it was 2004 all over again, at that time he was on almost every sports magazine cover, doing television segments, basically introducing himself to the non soccer fan. He became the youngest player ever drafted in the United States at the age of fourteen, when he was selected by D.C. United in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft. Adu’s stock was at an all time high, as many pegged him to be the future face of American soccer for many years to come.

Many viewed him as the one with all the tools, technical ability, physical maturity, and instincts. As of yet that hasn’t happened. He’s currently trying to get a loan move, his most recent attempt, a season long loan to Danish club Odense BK  fell through over wage demands last week. S.L. Benfica wants his loan destination to pay for his whole wage bill; Odense BK declined.

Adu’s been told by Bob Bradley that he needs to play regularly for a club to get even a sniff at a national team call up. His club isn’t going to play him, and there’s only a week left in the transfer market; with Jozy Altidore, Charlie Davies, and Kenny Cooper all managing to both play and impress abroad. Davies has already scored more goals in his three appearances with Sochaux than Adu’s has ever scored for any of the European clubs he’s played with. Adu is got to find a club willing to take on his wages and play him, or his chances of getting a call up to the World Cup in serious jeopardy.

Just years ago numerous clubs would have jumped at the opportunity but today, that list is extremely short. The salary is the main issue. In many leagues, there’s a minimum salary requirement for non-EU players. Any team wanting to bring Adu in will have to pay him somewhere around $10,000 a week, which is far more than he’s valued at. Adu’s left with few options seeing he can’t get a work permit in England an S.L. Benfica wont ever play him.

Oh 2004 please come back.