From Deseret News archives:
Checketts perfect in his timing
He didn't spend all those years running Madison Square Garden for nothing.
On the same day RSL revealed its financial plan to the public, it also had one other little item to announce: It had acquired America's most famous soccer player, Freddy Adu. Get set for Freddymania. There are bound to be Freddy shirts, Freddy socks, Freddy shorts and maybe even Freddy Fries. The kid who signed a professional contract at 14 and added a $1 million endorsement deal is now 17 and perhaps Salt Lake's most famous non-Jazz athlete.
"There's not too many players in the league who go by one name," said RSL general manager Steve Pastorino, "and anyone who has associated with MLS knows there's only one Freddy."
Move over Cher, Shakira, Bono, Oprah and all the other one-name superstars. Freddy is coming.
In terms of talent and profile, "I'll put him up with LeBron James," added Pastorino.
Adu scored two goals and had eight assists for DC United last season.
So Real gets a face for its two-year-old franchise, and Adu, who publicly feuded with his coach at United, gets a fresh start. Ellinger envisions Adu playing as a second forward or an attacking midfielder. In either case, he expects Adu will "be a major player in our attack and somebody who, when he gets the ball, is very electric."
Ellinger noted that in the four games RSL has played against United, Adu scored in three of them, "so we're happy we don't have to worry about playing against him any more."
The announcement came on a day in which other news was coming from RSL. The club revealed its financial plan to the media and political figures. As expected, the map showed that RSL is hoping for a drastic rise in paid attendance. Eventually the plan calls for a 17,000-fan average. The new stadium, set to rise in Sandy, is expected to host dozens of concerts and other events, to offset costs.
That's high ambition. But Checketts is an ambitious guy.
"I will say that Dave Checketts forces all of us to think big," said Pastorino.
What next, U2 singing the national anthem?
Comments
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105
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