Adu to Monaco on loan

[Ricochet]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mai...4/ixfooty.html


Adu to realise American dream
By Patrick Barclay (Filed: 03/08/2003)


Although fate unkindly cast him as the losing goalkeeper in Fulham's 1975 FA Cup final against West Ham, Peter Mellor had a pretty safe pair of hands. And now they have a task even more important, arguably, than saving shots on behalf of Burnley, Fulham and Portsmouth, because Mellor is among the coaches guiding the career of Freddy Adu, one of the most breathlessly discussed young footballers since the world became aware of Pele nearly half a century ago.


Much ado about something: Freddy Adu in action
At just 14, Adu makes Wayne Rooney seem a veteran, but one attribute the prodigies share is instinctive brilliance. "Freddy is so natural that you don't coach him," Mellor told me before leaving for England with Adu and the rest of a United States squad heading for the Under-17 World Cup in Finland.

"All you do is show him what it takes to be a good pro. You say very little to him about technical, or even tactical, situations. I have never seen anyone as gifted, as early, as this kid and I only hope he fulfils his potential."

Adu's progress since he arrived in America from Ghana five years ago - his mother, Emelia, had won a green card in the National Lottery - suggests he might make his senior international debut within the next year.

Bruce Arena, the coach who steered the US to the World Cup quarter-finals, believes he is ready now, according to Mellor, who, as part of his work for the national youth development programme, helps to supervise the elite based in Bradenton, Florida.

Adu is expected to be sent to a US club next, although the subsequent scramble among major European institutions could be hectic; when he was 11, an offer of £500,000 was made by Internazionale, whom Emelia politely rebuffed. "She is a humble lady with a wise head on her shoulders," Mellor remarked.

Mellor landed in Florida in 1981, towards the end of his playing career. He came with the showbiz and commentators' team. "There were people like Dennis Waterman and 'Diddy' David Hamilton, John Motson and Martin Tyler. We played in Tampa Bay and I fell in love with Florida. So I bought a piece of land and, while having a home built, played one last season with Edmonton Drillers.

In Florida I started coaching unpaid and, to make a living, set up a landscaping business, building waterfalls and so on." He sold it five years ago to take a full-time job with US Soccer. Mellor has, however, been involved with national squads for much longer. This will be his sixth Under-17 World Cup and he recalled the first with amusement.

"It's the typical American 'rah, rah, rah, let's go kick some butt' until they walk out on the field and there are 15,000 people in the stadium and Polish players about 9ft high and suddenly the 'rah, rah, rah' is replaced by the sound of their knees knocking.

"I'm proud that we now have a far more professional environment in which these players can grow up. I have a lot of admiration for the American coach. In fact, I'd say he's a far better tactician than anyone I worked with in Europe."

And so to young Freddy, the prospective icing on Arena's cake. "He'll be the first name on our team sheet in Finland," Mellor said. "Not only that. He's the type who, the higher the level of competition the better he performs. The Under-20s go to a world championship in November and I know the coach is considering taking him. Then there's the Olympics - he's being considered for that. And who knows when Bruce will call him up?" It really is hard to believe we are talking about a 14-year-old. But at last, it seems, when even the coaches are unable to conceal their excitement, that we have football's version of the American dream.

[mr.watford]

he must be good

[MUFC]

He sure is, loads of USA fans of football think he could be as big as pele, if he goes in the best directions

[Frank Cunha]

first he got to be the best in the USA, he my be in the Premier in the next couple years

[MUFC]

I think he should stay in the MLS until he is 21 and then go to maybe europe to develop further.

[Ricochet]

http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/lates...ws/377726.html


MANCHESTER, England (Aug. 7, 2003) (AP) _ Rising star Freddy Adu scored the equalizer and set up the winner as the United States Under 17 team beat their counterparts from Manchester United 2-1 at the Reds' training ground on Thursday.
Marcus Neumayer fired United ahead in the 10th minute but Adu took a pass from Chris Germani to level five minutes before half time.

Adu, a 14-year-old Ghanaian-born player who is tipped to become one of soccer's biggest names, then floated over a corner kick for Jamie Watson to add a second in the 50th minute.

The American team is on its way to play in the World Under 17 championship in Finland August 13-30.

[Ricochet]

http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullsto...CategoryID= 0

U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team Topples U-18 Manchester United 2-1

8/7/03 6:27 PM


MANCHESTER, England (August 7, 2003) - The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team responded with two goals in 10 minutes after allowing an early goal and held on for a 2-1 win against U-18 Manchester United this afternoon at Carrington Training Center in Manchester, England.

The match was the third game the U.S. has played here in England as the team gets prepared to compete in the FIFA Under-17 World Championship in Finland from August 13-30. The U.S. will face the Nigeria U-17 Men’s National Team in its final preparation match on Saturday, August 9 at Manchester United’s Carrington Training Center.

After allowing an early goal that deflected off a U.S. defender, Freddy Adu answered with a goal and an assist to lead the team back to victory. United’s goal in the 10th minute proved to be their only shot on goal during the entire game.

The U.S. got the first good look on goal in the 5th minute, when midfielder Guillermo Gonzalez hit the crossbar. Gonzalez stepped in front of a United pass in their own half, quickly turned up field and dribbled towards his left. With ‘keeper Luke Daniels a bit off his line, Gonzalez ripped a shot from about 30 yards out, but Daniels was just able backtrack to get a hand on the ball knocking it up and off the crossbar.



U.S. Under-17 MNT players (from left) Jules Valentin, Chris Germani and Jonathan Spector walk out of the locker room before their game against Manchester United.
©



United struck five minutes later, scoring on their only shot on goal. Forward Sylvan Blake, a well-built speedster who gave the U.S. defense trouble all day, received a pass as he streaked down the left flank. With defender Adrian Chevannes on his heels, Blake pushed the ball down the endline and then curled the ball back into the penalty area to midfielder Marcus Neumayer. A bit off balance, Neumayer’s one-time volley had little pace on it as it dashed towards the crowded goalmouth, but it ricocheted off defender Julian Valentin and rolled in the back of the net.

United had a great chance to go up by two goals as Blake slipped through for a wide-open net, but midfielder Steve Curfman hustled back to make an astonishing foot save to clear Blake’s shot wide of the goal. Blake collected the ball in the right side of the penalty area and pushed it to his left forcing ‘keeper Quentin Westberg to come out. Westberg went to the ground, but Blake pushed it to his left again around the keeper and had an open net. Blake tried to place it in the net, but Curfman came from behind to slide in front knock it wide.

In the 15th minute, Michael Harrington nearly had his first goal during the three preparation matches, but a well-timed save by Daniels thwarted his opportunity. Gonzalez slotted a perfect through ball to Harrington, who was left with a one-on-one with Daniels. Harrington tried to slip the ball to the lower left past Daniels, but he dove to his right to keep United’s 1-0 advantage.

Three minutes later, Chris Germani, who started at left midfield, almost knocked in a header for the equalizer. Making a near post run, Germani pounced on Gonzalez’s free kick from the right sideline, but Daniels was in perfect position to pull in the attempt.

The U.S. finally got the equalizer in the 40th minute, after a United giveaway near the center circle. Harrington quickly got the ball out wide left to Germani, who brought the ball towards the endline and glided a ball on the ground across the goalmouth to a wide-open Adu. Adu, making a run from midfield, easily knocked it in from the edge of the six-yard box.

Early in the second half, the U.S. broke the tie as Jamie Watson got his second goal in the past three games in the 50th minute. The U.S. was awarded a free kick from the left side of the penalty area after Adu was taken down while possessing the ball against two United defenders. Adu crossed in the free kick and substituted United ‘keeper Lee Crockett misread its movement as it bounced near the six-yard box, allowing Watson to slide in and knock the ball home.

The U.S. had a couple of other chances, most of which were created by second half substitute Corey Ashe at the left midfield position. Ashe worked diligently up the left flank, starting attacks on goal with Adu and Watson.

United last opportunity came in the 71st minute off a corner kick from Neumayer. The service from the right side found Kyle Moran at the back post, but his header went high.

In injury time, the U.S. had a bit of a scare as Adu went down in the box after a shot attempt. Being defended on the attempt, Adu knocked into the United player and came down oddly on his ankle. Adu stayed on the field and got treatment for a few minutes before walking off on his own power. The injury was said to be a slight ankle sprain and there was no swelling.

He is listed as day-to-day and it is uncertain whether he will play against Nigeria.

[Frank Cunha]

5. UNDER-17 WORLD CUP: Adu on fire in England tune-ups

Freddy Adu, the 14-year-old sensation, is on fire in England, where
the United States is preparing for the Under-17 World Cup in Finland
later this month.

Adu scored the tying goal and set up the winning goal in the U.S.
U-17s' 2-1 win Thursday over Manchester United's youth team. Earlier,
Adu scored three goals in a 4-2 win over Blackburn Rovers' U-18
academy team and converted a penalty kick in a 1-0 win over
Australia's U-17s. The U.S. U-17s faces Nigeria's U-17s before
heading to Finland.

USA-MAN U SUMMARY:

Aug. 7 in Manchester
Man. Utd. U-18 team (England) 1 U.S. under-17 national team 2. Goals:
Neumayer 10; Adu 40, Watson 50.
Man. Utd. -- Daniels (Crockett, 46), M.Lee, McShane, Ngalula, Booth,
Neumayer, Jones (Mullen, 57), K.Lee, Burns, Blake (Moran, 61), Marsh.
USA -- Westberg, Valentin (Owens, 46), Spector, Chevannes (Gaven,
46), Peterson (Helton, 22), Curfman, Germani (DiRaimondo, 46),
Grazier (Szetela, 46), Gonzalez (Ashe, 46), Adu, Harrington (Watson,
46).

[MUFC]

Good to see adu scoring, didnt see the match will try and catch the highlights tomorrow.

Good to see neuymer getting yet another goal, good prospect

I hope one day we can sign adu great player :danc:

[Frank Cunha]

Portugal vs USA in the final of the World Cup

[Frank Cunha]

I think Adu will be the first draft pick on this year superdraft

[MUFC]

He needs to stay in the MLS until he is about 17 or 18 but he should be watched carefully. He must not play every week as this will burn him out and he must be given a rest period.

[Ricochet]

I aqree with of you. I've thought for a while now that Freddy will be in the MLS by 2004 and will stay in the MLS until after the 2006 WC. After the WC I expect him to be a Red Devil.

[Frank Cunha]

Dallas will pick him first in next year superdraft, they also going to have a new stadium, the would help

[ArsenalTexan3]

MUFC, if you could only see Adu play live. Only seen him in two matches, but the kid can play. Unforunitly for MU, I see him playing for Arsenal.