From Deseret News archives:
The time is now for Adu
World Cup could make or break career
He's proclaimed for years that he wants to play in Europe, and having turned 18 earlier this month, age restrictions are no longer a hindrance. But what about his game? Outside of his infectious smile and laughter, not to mention his tremendous marketability, has he done enough on the pitch in his four Major League Soccer seasons to warrant contract offers from abroad?
Most would say, not yet.
That's what makes the next three weeks so important for Adu and his career aspirations. With soccer scouts from all over the world flocking to Canada to watch the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, Adu will not only be representing the Under-20 U.S. National Team, but he'll also be auditioning for hundreds of different clubs.
Adu's fortunes during a tournament that kicks off Saturday and continues until July 22 seem likely to fall into one of three scenarios.
First, with a great showing in Canada, Adu receives transfer requests from several European clubs within days, forcing MLS and Real Salt Lake into a difficult decision of whether or not to void the remainder of his contract and let him pursue his dream overseas.
Second, Adu has a so-so performance in group games against Brazil, Poland and the Korea Republic, and the European teams decide to hold off and evaluate him further during the final three months of the MLS season.
The last scenario involves Adu and the United States playing horribly and not advancing out of group play. The European teams scratch their heads and wonder what all the fuss was about. Adu would then return to a struggling club that he's struggled to adapt to.
The prospects of his more favorable scenario panning out got off to a good start last week when he recorded a goal and an assist in a 2-1 tune-up victory over Chile. He added another goal in a 4-0 tune-up win over New Zealand on Monday.
Adu doesn't believe it's a coincidence. When he's with the U.S., he plays in the middle and insists he's more comfortable. In his four MLS seasons, however, coaches have traditionally utilized him as a left midfielder, or out of position, according to Adu.
"Being in the middle of the field, that's where I'm at my best. I touch the ball more, I create more. I score more. During my MLS career, I've scored almost all my goals either playing second forward or attacking midfielder and got pretty much all my assists from that position, too," said Adu, who played at D.C. United for three years before RSL acquired him in an offseason trade. "It's just where I'm more effective. For some reason, ever since I've been in MLS I've never really gotten a chance to play at that position on a consistent basis."
