DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. -- Fourteen-year-old Freddy Adu scored 11 minutes into his pro debut Saturday, helping D.C. United beat Battery 2-1 in the first game of the Carolina Challenge Cup.
More than 100 fans, mostly children, chanted his name and waited for Adu after the game.
The young star deflected most of the praise to his teammates.
"I'm just trying to fit in right now," he said. "The fans are great, but it's more important that we won."
Although Adu had already played in some preseason games with D.C. United, this was his first professional game. Adu didn't make his first appearance until the beginning of the second half.
"He changed the game a little bit when he came in," D.C. United coach Peter Novak said. "He had a very tough week finishing up school in Florida, so he wasn't going to start."
Adu showed that his reputation as a goal scorer was well deserved in the 56th minute.
D.C. United defender Dema Kovalenko made a run and crossed the ball into the box to Adu. Adu trapped the ball with his left foot and one touched it past Battery goalie Dusty Hudock for the score.
"It was very important for me, it gives me a lot of confidence," Adu said. "It helps the team out because we haven't gotten a lot goals in the preseason. So, hopefully this jump starts us offensively."
The Battery answered 19 minutes later, tying the game in the 75th minute on Paul Conway's goal off a corner kick.
Adu also had a hand in D.C. United's second goal.
Adu was tackled hard by Andreas Bechmann, who received a red card on the play.
D.C. United forward Bobby Convey scored on a shot that he bent around Hudock.
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Adu scores in pro debut
- Thread starter Savo
- Start date
manutd4eva
Fan Favourite
Good for the kid.
Sky Reloaded
Reserve Team
There are many kids who can do what he can.. but to be able to perform under pressure in a competitive environment, and playing as a team.. thats what counts
celtic_bhoy
Senior Squad
Freedy Adu is all-round class
when he wants to go to europe in a couple of years he will be one of the hottest properties ever imo
when he wants to go to europe in a couple of years he will be one of the hottest properties ever imo
Originally posted by eddy_87
lol, whats wrong if he play for madrid (when he's 30)?
i haven't see him playing yet but preety sure he's class
Because of that (30), in real madrid they like instant contribution for an expensive player... That;s why the have Beckham and not Ronaldinho, they had some doubts about him, so they went for the sure thing.
I have nothing against real madrid or their players, is just that they don't like too much sign young prospect players. And Adu in order to adapt to Europe would be need first team regular minutes.
PSVFOREVER
Fan Favourite
Originally posted by Rob
Pfft his 14, he looks like his 40.
Has anyone seen his OFFICIAL Birth Certificate? Does he have one?
exactly my thoughts
Rochester Rhino
Manager
Can't wait for when D.C. United comes to play Rochester in an exhbition and maybe in the US Opoen Cup.
Yes, he does. Yes, a lot of people have seen it.Originally posted by Rob
Has anyone seen his OFFICIAL Birth Certificate? Does he have one?
Read Malenfart's post. Then read it again. And again.
Anyway, congrats to Adu. The Charleston Battery are the reigning A-League champions so they're not an easy team to score against. This goal is especially impressive considering Adu hasn't been training with the team for the last couple of weeks because he's been busy studying so he can finish high school.
It's becoming increasingly more likely that Adu will start come April 3rd. The only question is where. The best bet is probably out on the left wing.
My predicted line-up for DC Adunited:
------------------Warren-------------------
-------------Nelsen---Petke---------------
--Pirdeaux---------------------Namoff----
--Olsen--Kovalenko--Convey---Adu----
------------Stewart-----Cerritos----------
michaelowe
Youth Team
He will end up going to europe eventually (maybe around 17/18 years old) but expect him to stay in U.S. for at least a few more seasons. Hope he comes to an english club though 
Happily have him at brighton but can't see it happening somehow
Happily have him at brighton but can't see it happening somehow
Rochester Rhino
Manager
Here's a picture of Adu from the game
