Freddy and team make their first Real appearance

The Freddy Adu factor has worn off considerably since last year. During his rookie year with D.C. United, whenever D.C. hit the road, big crowds clamored to see the teenage pro soccer player who didn't have a driver's license.

A year later, D.C. United is playing in front of slightly smaller crowds on the road because Freddy mania has slowed.

There's only one market where kids haven't had the opportunity to scream in Freddy's face for an autograph. That will all change tonight at 7:30 when D.C. United makes its debut appearance at Rice-Eccles Stadium to face Real Salt Lake.

"The first year of appearances, and the pressure of (being) the young teen icon coming into the league, it definitely affected his play," said RSL coach John Ellinger, who was Adu's coach with the Under-17 U.S. National Team before he joined Major League Soccer.

In his debut season, Adu appeared in every game for D.C., including 14 starts. He finished with five goals and three assists. This year, Adu — who turned 16 earlier this summer — has three goals and five assists in 22 appearances and 14 starts.

Even though D.C. United coach Peter Nowak always keeps his starting lineup under wraps until close to game time, there's a very good chance Adu will start tonight against RSL.

Since returning from an injury that sidelined him for three matches in August, the versatile Adu has appeared in six straight games, including four starts. Regular starting striker Santino Quaranta was recently called up to the U.S. National Team for a pair of World Cup qualifiers, which opens the door for Adu to start.

Ellinger suspects that Nowak will start Adu up top alongside Jaime Moreno.

"He's been a consistent player in this league for two years," said Ellinger. "The one thing I've noticed is he has matured into a more team-oriented player."

Adu is one of several talented D.C. United attacking players whom RSL must contend with if it hopes to halt its nine-game losing streak.

D.C. has scored 52 goals this year, with Moreno leading the way with 14 and Christian Gomez chipping in with 10. They scoring duo has also combined for 15 assists.

"Their mentality is they work hard for 90 minutes and put a lot of pressure on the ball," said Ellinger.

D.C. did exactly that on Aug. 31 when it trounced Salt Lake 5-1 at RFK Stadium. Already leading 3-1, D.C. tacked on two more goals in the final 15 minutes.