The biggest question surrounding Adu is whether he's actually going to stay in Utah. Fame and wealth — beyond what he already has — await overseas. The MLS press release noted that DC United received, among other things, "a share of any future replacement allocation money attributed to Adu, should he be transferred."

Adu recently returned home from a two-week training session with fabled English team Manchester United. Speculation has already risen that soon after Adu turns 18 this June, he'll be on his way to Europe.

"We will keep a check on him. Then, when he is 18, we will have to assess what he can do," Man. United manager Alex Ferguson told the Associated Press.

But Pastorino is quick to note Adu's contract lasts through 2009, and that "while it's not absolute, solid-bound certain that he'll be here, we have some assurances and expectations that he'll be here for the entire 2007 season, and we have reason to believe he'll be here in 2008, as well."

Pastorino denies the Adu announcement was tailored to offset any negative publicity surrounding the financial statement released Monday.

"I wish we could plan things that way, but no, we have been working on this for several weeks," said Pastorino. "So if it had happened last Friday, or next Friday, I just wanted it done. So coincidence it is."

Nice timing it is, too.

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E-mail: rock@desnews.com