Adu to Monaco on loan

[Frank Cunha]

I see him in the starting lineup these upcoming week, will see, its just my opinion



ADU SEES YELLOW

The list of 'firsts' for Freddy Adu continued this week as the 14-year-old D.C. United forward picked up the first yellow card of his career when he grabbed the jersey, then shoved Fire midfielder Andy Williams during Saturday's 1-0 loss.

"If I'm getting hit, I'll hit you back," Adu said. "I didn't really mean to hurt him, but I'm not just going to let people hit me. I caught an elbow, and I felt that since the referee didn't see it, I had to do something about it."

The game drew 21,235 at RFK Stadium for Freddy Adu bobblehead doll day.

[revolutionfan]

Freddy Adu Conference Call
May 26, 2004

Q: About a month ago when the Revolution traveled to Giants Stadium against the MetroStars, the announced attendance was somewhere in the neighborhood of 10,000 perhaps a little less than that. One week before, when D.C. United played there, the announced attendance was 30,000. My question is for Freddy, when he thinks of the disparity in that number, in that particular example, how is he putting into perspective, that this is translating to the stadium, the interest around him? And how is he handling it?

FA: Obviously it is good for the sport and it is good for the league. Before we didn’t have that many people coming out to the games, but whatever we can do now to help the attendance and help the league out we are going to do. After all, we are all playing for and trying to help the league.

Q: In terms of your input in that number, in that difference, have you given thought to that disparity that you are creating?

FA: No, I haven’t. I don’t really think about it. They are not coming out to see me. They are coming to watch the team play, because we have been playing amazing soccer this whole year. Our fans love it and I am sure other fans from other cities like it to, because we are playing good soccer.

Q: If you could, assess how you feel your play is progressing throughout the year. Strengths. Weaknesses. Things that you feel you have to improve on.

FA: I have gotten a lot better. I feel like I am at a level right now, where I feel I am very comfortable at doing what I do. Which is take on defenders and just be myself. After five or six games of the season, I was interviewed by a guy from the Washington Post, and I told him, ‘You know what? I am having a lot more fun now and I am back to my old self again.’ And ever since that I have been playing real good and I am playing really well. Obviously I am still getting pushed off the ball to a certain extent, but it is not as much as I am use to. That is partly due to my positioning on the field and my movement off the ball. So everything is getting a lot better.

Q: This is a step up as far as playing internationally with the U-17 and U-20s. You are playing men against men, in this sense. What are some things that you feel you were lacking in the first few games? Was it just the comfort with playing at this level?

FA: Yeah. I was just not comfortable. I was just not comfortable and I wasn’t me. I was scared and I was thinking too much about what the other guys think of me. I wasn’t playing my game and doing what I can do. That’s the difference now.

Q: What are some things that you would like to see yourself improve on? Obviously everyone wants to score 20 goals and be the Man of the Match and things like that, but what are two things that you think you would like to see come around in the next two months or so?

FA: I would like to improve on every single thing, every aspect of my game, and everything I am doing. I am not here to be an okay player in the MLS, so to speak. I am here to be a good player; I want to be a great player in the MLS. One that people can look up to. That’s just how it is. I would like everything to get there. I want to improve on every single aspect of my game. That’s what I am doing right now.

Q: Are you getting tired of the media circus now?

FA: I got tired of it a while back. But now that I have regained my passion, my love and my happiness for the game, I am back to myself. So I am ready to rock and roll.

Q: Can you talk about the balancing of all of the media demands and how the people around you have struck a balance of making sure you are ready to play, but also taking care of all the publicity and all of the stuff that comes with it?

FA: They have done a great job. They are not pushing me too much, I don’t think. There are sometimes when I have a lot to do, but Peter (Nowak) is always there to let them know and to help me out with this if the guys are letting me do too much. After all my performance on the field is what matters the most. The guys around me have been great. They have been awesome. They have helped me get to this point so far. Hopefully, we can all keep that going.

Q: Is there any concern about doing too much? Before you first game, there was an ad of you with Pelé. It is obviously a fun ad, but it puts you as sort of a comparison in that way. Do you feel the pressure at all to try to live up to…

FA: No. I did. I did the first game. But after that, I am just chilling. I am going to do what I do best. After all that is what got me to this point right now. That is what’s gotten me here and why stop now. Just keep doing the same things, and keeping better. I know as time goes on, I’ll keep getting better and do the same things. So, I’ll be fine.

Q: What do you think of a teammate of yours, Charlie Davey, who is from our area. What do you think of him?

FA: He is a great player. I had a chance to play with him with the regional team once and also with the national teams. He is a very good player. He kind of plays like Thierry Henry. He makes it easier for me, because teams can’t focus on me. Because if they do, then he will just keep scoring goals. He certainly makes it easier for me, to play up top.

Q: First of all, congratulations on getting your diploma.

FA: Thank you.

Q: I want to ask you if you have an opportunity to talk to any other athletes that have had success at a young age, Lebron James, Michelle Wie…

FA: No, I haven’t.

Q: Do you see, as a spectator, a common denominator in all of those people? Do you see something that you have, psychologically, obviously athletically, that people who achieve do that other folks don’t?

FA: I don’t know. It is just the will to succeed and confidence. You have to have some sort of confidence. It is borderline confidence, borderline cockiness. You’ve just got to have that attitude that I can do this and no one is going to put me down in doing this. I feel like I am ready to do this. You just have to go out there and follow your dreams. That’s how it is. Some people are scared to do it, even though they have got the talent. But with me, I know I’ve got the talent, so I am just going to put it to good use and take advantage of it.

Q: Have you ever visited New England? If not, what are you expecting?

FA: I have never visited New England. I am expecting it to be a great atmosphere. They have always had a great atmosphere when I have watched the games on TV. So, I am sure it will be a great atmosphere and a fun place to play.

Q: Have you been surprised by anything through this odyssey you have had over the last two months?

FA: No. Not really.

Q: Working on the first question, about the crowds coming in, you must feel good about that because the crowds are coming out to see you. Somehow you feel that because the crowds are coming out, you are really earning your wage, so to speak.

FA: Same answer I gave to the guy before. The crowds are coming out to watch D.C. play because D.C. has always been a great team. This year we are an even better, because I feel like we are playing the best soccer in the league. We are out there playing good, good soccer, so people want to come out and see us play. We are an exciting team to watch.

Q: How is all of the media attention affecting your relationship with your teammates?

FA: I don’t know. I don’t know. Everything is fine in our locker room. Everything is fine. I don’t feel anything between anyone and myself. We are the same. We joke around. We have fun together. There is nothing going on there, at least I don’t think so.

Q: How are you going to celebrate your 15th birthday? Do you plan to celebrate with the team?

FA: Probably not. I am going to celebrate it at home with some friends and family members. That’s just about it. It’s not going to be a big deal. We are just going to go out to dinner or something like that. I am going to have a party for my birthday a couple of months from now, after I move into the new house.

Q: I would like for you to tell us about when you were a younger boy what type of players you admired? What was your first exposure to professional soccer? What players do you like that are on the world stage at the moment?

FA: I liked the Ghanaian. Abedi Pele and Tony Yeboah, those were my two favorites. Then I started watching a lot more soccer, watching European soccer. I liked people like Romario, I liked him. Some other people too. You grow up watching these guys when you are younger and you want to be like them. You try the moves they do and that’s how I grew up.

Q: As far as the foods that you eat, does anyone tell you or regulate your diet or you can eat pretty much anything you want?

FA: I am pretty young. So I could probably eat whatever I want, but I am watching out for what I eat now. I have always eaten healthy, because African troops, they are very healthy. So that is what I eat most of the time, because my mom cooks it for me. It’s great because I never really have to worry about anything because I have grown accustomed to eating that food and loving it.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do besides soccer?

FA: I love to play video games and hang out with friends. Go to the mall and just shop around or walk around.

Q: About a month ago, there was mention in the international press about Ghana wanting to call you into the national side or make you part of the national program. Has there been any follow up from them?

FA: I didn’t even know about that until a couple of weeks ago. I don’t know what’s going on with that.

Q: At this point though, I would assume that your focus is for the U.S. program and not declaring for your homeland?

FA: Sure. If I get a chance, I’m going to go with the U.S. Yeah.

[revolutionfan]

Q: I would like to know what you think of the French team and if you have French players that you like?

FA: Yeah. My favorite player is Adan. He is my favorite player and obviously I love the French team. I was going for them in the World Cup in 1998 and World Cup 2002. Unfortunately they didn’t do too well, but the French team has got some power in there. They have some of the best players I have ever seen. What more can I say?

Q: Do you have desire to play in Europe? And is there any out-clause in your contract that would allow you to go to a European team before the six years expire?

FA: Yeah, obviously I do have aspirations to play in Europe. Everyone does. You want to try to prove your talent against some of the best players in the world and that is where you are going to do it. So yeah.

Q: Is there an ability for you contractually for you to do that before the end of the six-year contract with the MLS.

FA: Sure.

Q: Is there any timetable? Do you want to stay in the MLS two years, three years…

FA: I don’t know that right now. I am just going to keep playing and when the time comes, I’ll explore my options.


Q: Earlier you were mentioning how you like as a hobby going to the mall. What is that experience like for you now?

FA: It is not too cool anymore. You know, you go to the mall and you just get mobbed by people. You have really no privacy and no time to just hang out with your friends and have fun. It is still fun. It just depends on the days. Some days it is bad and some days it is real good where everybody can just go and hang out and have fun.

Q: You get mobbed by whom?

FA: It is mostly teenagers. And it is mostly girls. I am not complaining by the way.

Q: Do you have a special girl in your life?

FA: Not really. I don’t have a girlfriend or anything right now.

Q: How do you get to practice?

FA: My mom.

Q: So she is acting as your official chauffer?

FA: Yeah. She is not working right now, so she has time to do it. And she loves watching me play. So she takes me, stays and then watches practice everyday and then takes me home afterwards.

Q: Do you guys share a lot of the intimacies that go on with the team, if you practice well or you don’t practice well…

FA: Yeah, Yeah. Yeah. We always do.

[Adalon]

14 and giving press conferences, i remember Rooney not being allowed to say anything until he was 18 or something!

[revolutionfan]

Originally posted by Adalon
14 and giving press conferences, i remember Rooney not being allowed to say anything until he was 18 or something!

He was with coach Peter Nowak when the conference call took place

[Frank Cunha]

The US trying to bring the Military draft back, If he get's drafted, I wonder if he plays for the USA or go back to Gana, something to think about it

we are the league the going to lose much of our young talent

[Ricochet]

the draft isn't coming back, i've read up on it lately not going to happen.

[revolutionfan]

Originally posted by Frank Cunha
The US trying to bring the Military draft back, If he get's drafted, I wonder if he plays for the USA or go back to Gana, something to think about it

we are the league the going to lose much of our young talent

No chance in hell would Freddy Adu ever get drafted even in the rare chance that there would be a draft. You're crazy if you think so.

Let's get Kerry elected, since he's a former soccer player he'll sort things out.::

[robaldo]

if USA get into the next world cup in Germany 2006, would Adu be in the squad at 17? would be good if he is.

Seems like he doesnt take any nonsence with his Yellow, what is his temper like?

[Ricochet]

I'm not sure he will be with the team if the USA make the '06 World Cup. He's got the talent, he has superstar skills, great pace etc. but he's really small.

The size issue is his biggest issue, I think the beating he's taking in the MLS in the long run will help him, toughen him up.

I love this kids attitude and temper. He willing to learn, very humble etc. everything a coach would want out of his players. as for his temper it's good IMO, nothing that should get him in trouble.

[Frank Cunha]

his not getting much of a chance

[BethlehemFC]

I think he is getting as much playing time as he would anywhere in Europe. He needs to mature. He's doing fine -- and from what I have heard/read his attitude is fine. Nowak is a good guy to have in charge of Adu right now.

[Frank Cunha]

the crowd got be close to 30,000 and Adu in the starting team, they came to see Adu

[Frank Cunha]

Kansas City goal in the 17 m, Taylor from Arnaut

Kansas City-1-DC United -0

Taylor 3 goal of the season for the rookie out of UCLA

[BethlehemFC]

Frank -- Adu starting! You have to be happy!

Happy about the crowd for KC -- good one last week too.