What is there to explain? He had documents stating that he was eight years old when he arrived in America. There has been speculation for years that those documents were falsified. You can't prove it either way but the fact that, in Ghana, its known to be easy to tamper with or even just to obtain falsified documents from corrupt officials gives the suggestion credence.
Freddy Adu looking to move
- Thread starter Jacob
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What is there to explain? He had documents stating that he was eight years old when he arrived in America. There has been speculation for years that those documents were falsified. You can't prove it either way but the fact that, in Ghana, its known to be easy to tamper with or even just to obtain falsified documents from corrupt officials gives the suggestion credence.
As has been pointed out several times, Adu's problems aren't technical but tactical and physical. He basically skated by on talent at the youth levels and never properly learned the game. Combine that with his frame and he's been doomed.
He didn't have to accept the MLS deal. I'd wager at least a handful of advisors or fellow athletes advised him to join a proper European club/academy. But it appears to me he had many handlers, including his own mother, all desiring to make a quick buck or two off him. Shame the MLS & USSF was more concerned with making a buck as well and not giving him proper advice. The MLS stood to gain lots of publicity and revenue from his hype and the USSF saw a bonafide superstar potential.
The player himself has to share some of the blame, granted his age, whatever it may have been at the time, is hard to place a lot of blame. Most teens would jump for millions and eat up every minute. Some would fold under the pressure and failure to meet expectations. Adu did seem to enjoy his new found fame.
That said, this isn't the first or last time a youth prodigy never makes the grade at the higher levels when the competition catches up.
And yes, the age thing could be true. Look at Danny Almonte at the LLWS. And it's happened many times in all sports around the globe.
I didn't know he's fallen this far.
Still I would like to see him get a chance to rebuild his game with an English club. Maybe Championship level football could help him to find a breakthrough?
Still I would like to see him get a chance to rebuild his game with an English club. Maybe Championship level football could help him to find a breakthrough?
So, you're suggestion was that he was eighteen, a large almost fully developed human and US immigration couldn't see the difference between that and an eight year old boy? Is that what you're going with?
Or is it was that he looked eight year old but was 10 years younger, so negative two years old.
I'm trying to decide which incredibly stupid scenario to go with.
This is exactly right. He never learned the game, because he was developed by MLS, a league that has stunted the growth of many players and had shit for a youth development system at the time.
Either that or he was 15 years younger, a mere sperm and egg when he immigrated.
I'm sure this sentence requires a semi colon or a colon!
As ridiculous as that sounds.... nah, it's just ridiculous.
Perhaps we are getting hung up on the 10 years thing. Say he was 13 when he arrived in the US and his papers said he was 8. This would still have given him a huge advantage in youth football and meant that he didn't look out of place when playing in the MLS at 14, but may also explain his lack of development.
I've got no idea what went on, but the theory can still stand up.
Honestly, with the complete lack of ability for MLS to develop youth into well rounded players the fact that anyone falls back on this pile of shit of a theory is amazing.
But, I guess some idiotic immigration officer could have taken a look at a child and not realized he was an entire 5 years younger. Just a bit under 1/2 his life's growth stunted, like some malnourished North Korean. Obviously, said immigration officer would not know the difference, considering it is there JOB to notice such things. Yes, it is plausible a 13 year old decent football player from Africa, whose skills strangely went unnoticed in his own land, had a mother who had the foresight to forge a birth certificate so her son would be able to dominate at his level in the FOOTBALL POWERHOUSE known as America.
All very plausible.
I hope he returns to the MLS. I'm convinced he can rebuild his career. His just made same very bad moves to clubs that were only interested in quick fixes rather than nurturing his obvious talent. Your talent doesn't just disappear over night. Right now his confidence is badly knocked. So he should return where he was loved and respected to get back to his best.
To be fair with him, deal doesn't always translate to money
It could have been playing time, squad status, escape clause, etc etc.
I'll give him benefits of doubt since he hasn't done anything worthy of stake burning..... yet
It could have been playing time, squad status, escape clause, etc etc.
I'll give him benefits of doubt since he hasn't done anything worthy of stake burning..... yet
Is it me or is this redwood character a bit of a Ihni binni dimi diniwiny anitaime?
I'm guessing his/her age lies between 13-19.
I'm guessing his/her age lies between 13-19.
Honestly, with the complete lack of ability for MLS to develop youth into well rounded players the fact that anyone falls back on this pile of shit of a theory is amazing.
But, I guess some idiotic immigration officer could have taken a look at a child and not realized he was an entire 5 years younger. Just a bit under 1/2 his life's growth stunted, like some malnourished North Korean. Obviously, said immigration officer would not know the difference, considering it is there JOB to notice such things. Yes, it is plausible a 13 year old decent football player from Africa, whose skills strangely went unnoticed in his own land, had a mother who had the foresight to forge a birth certificate so her son would be able to dominate at his level in the FOOTBALL POWERHOUSE known as America.
All very plausible.
Ole STILL looks about 20
I couldn't agree with this more. I find it very hard to understand why he would prefer a move to the German second division with a club that isn't even that keen on taking him instead of coming back to MLS where he can actually grow as a player. I think he is still harboring hopes of being a mega star in Europe, but he should set his sights a little lower and just aim to become good enough to get into the national team. MLS would be a perfect platform for that.
I've heard from a few friends in MLS about the teammates and treatment from Novak.He was treated pretty bad by some U20 teammates as well who later apologized to him a few years later about their treatment of him.
I think he would have been better off in Europe as well so he could have actually developed as a player with out all of the hype and distractions
maybe MLS is low balling him...
Um. No. That would be me "taking the piss"
If he goes back to MLS he's done. That's as far as he'll ever go.
If he stays in Europe and improves, he's got a shot of moving up (if he can ever get his shit together).
I agree and I hope he improves
he's rubbish, overated
Darius Vassell > Freddy Adu
Darius Vassell > Freddy Adu
Can't agree with that. Donovan failed (arguably) twice in Germany and still came to the EPL and made a big enough splash for Everton to come knocking again.
IF his age is to be believed, he has time on his hands - he's still quite young.
Donovan is and was a far, far better player than Adu. He was the best player on the USA team during all of that. Adu isn't even close to making the squad.
Completely different players.
Think Bobby Convey.
Convey did excellently in the Premier League - it was injuries that derailed him and caused him to go back home where he is content with life. Wouldn't agree with that comparison at all.
Fact is, Adu is an enigma. I say he keeps his head down in the German second division, finds himself as a player again and see if he emerges in a couple years. If he goes back to America he'll be hounded left right and center, fans watching his every move. He's failed publicly over and over, now he's putting himself in exile with a fellow US player and we'll see what emerges..
I don't think so. I think he has a better chance of making it big in Europe via MLS. If he comes back, gets into the national team and does well at the world cup, he could end up back in the big time. I suppose that the same could happen playing for some shitty german team, but it's unlikely that he'll get the type of support that he needs.
Or perhaps Freddy wants Freddy to be respected and Freddy to get his due money.
The MLS would probably take him back knowing he's known by even non-football fans. They could market him again.
Granted, they could get burned by trying to parade him around as this star a second time.
I'd prefer to see him come back to MLS for a couple years.
So long as he doesn't wind up in Portland.
Amen.
You getting a season ticket Brad...? Got mine, section 93 in the corner by the MAC club
That's great! Me too. I'm either in 116 or 117, but damned if I can figure out how to figure it out. Going to Denver to see us get tonked in our first game as well. Good times!
Wow, thats dedication. I've got a ticket with a mate so we'll probably trade off when we're not going together. Looking forward to it though.
Yeah, here's hoping the level of play is alright. Early days MLS was quite good, and I was lucky to be in DC for the first few years when United owned the league. Watching the Timbers for years in A League was a bit joyless though. Still the road trips were good craic, stirring it up with folks up in Seattle and Vancouver. Vancouver's a top town if you haven't been BTW. Been in Portland long enough now that I feel like a proper hayseed every time I'm up there.
I stopped watching MLS a year ago. I stuck around for a long time hoping it would improve but I just couldn't take it anymore. Sometimes the play is decent, sometimes laughably horrible. Often it is wildly inconsistent.
But worst of all the refs are terrible. Games are usually decided by shitty calls.
I do think between Portland, Seattle and Vancouver something good could happen.
Right now there are two power bases in MLS, the old guard and the new guard. If Seattle can exert more power over the league, it will be a good thing.
Gonna pretend I didn't hear that.
I actually think this season was a big step forward for the league as a whole.
Really? I think the quality of play has gone down the past few years. There's more teams, and it's more marketable, but the actual football is getting worse in my opinion. Some matches are painful to watch.
I was at the Metrostars first game at the Meadowlands against NE. 0-0 bore draw settled by a penalty shoot out, it was dire.
I think the MLS will be a bit more exciting with the NW trio. Shame it looks like they've capped away fans at 500. We were hanging with a load of Seattle fans in the beer garden (rip) when they came down in 09, great craic.
I'm not really into the Timbers that much, the Timbers Army are a bit of a joke. I just want to see better football than the A-league. I'm pretty sure every game will be a sell out. I know a lot of peeps who are getting season tix that didn't go regularly before.
I think the MLS will be a bit more exciting with the NW trio. Shame it looks like they've capped away fans at 500. We were hanging with a load of Seattle fans in the beer garden (rip) when they came down in 09, great craic.
I'm not really into the Timbers that much, the Timbers Army are a bit of a joke. I just want to see better football than the A-league. I'm pretty sure every game will be a sell out. I know a lot of peeps who are getting season tix that didn't go regularly before.
I mean in the direction they want to take the league. They had to fight hard just to get a slight upgrade in refs last season.
And off he goes...
I remember when him and Jean Carlos Chera were the talk of the town.