Photos: Freddy Adu: Future of U.S. soccer Photo 1
All of 13, Freddy Adu is already being trumpeted as the future of American soccer. Agents keep calling his coach. The famed Italian club Inter Milan once expressed interest in signing him -- when he was 10.
Adu, who was born in Ghana but became a U.S. citizen last month, is blessed with that rare blend of speed and skills, savvy and strength. Many predict he will be on the U.S. World Cup team in 2006.
"When he steps between the lines, he's not 13. I think that's what amazes everybody and makes them say: 'How is that kid 13? Look at what he can do,"' said John Ellinger, coach the U.S. Under-17 team.
"He brings a different game than what you think you would see from a 13-year-old. It's like he's been through a world championship and qualifying, just with his poise and his physical attributes. You just don't see that in an average 13-year-old. He's a remarkable young talent."
Adu came to the United States after his family won an immigration lottery in 1997. He became the youngest player for a U.S. national team and scored a goal for the U.S. Under-17 team Sunday in a 3-0 win over Guatemala in the semifinals of the FIFA Under-17 World Championships.
The 5-foot-8, 140-pound scoring marvel cleared a critical obstacle Feb. 13 when his mother, Emilia, became a U.S. citizen. Freddy flew home to Potomac, Md., to sign his citizenship papers on Valentine's Day. Ellinger presented him with his passport a few days later.
"I handed it to him before practice and he goes over and announces it to the team: 'Guys, I've got my passport. Come look.' That's when you know he's 13," Ellinger said.
"His passion has been to get the citizenship and help us qualify. It's one of those things that gives you goose bumps just talking about it."
The coach got his first opportunity to see the youngster play in July 2001 when Adu, then 12, led his Maryland team to a national youth championship.
Ellinger had heard stories about how Adu had played so well in a tournament in Italy that Inter Milan offered him a six-figure contract, but his family rejected it because the boy was only 10.
"When you hear about him, you think of a monster sizewise. He wasn't that big at all, but he plays big," Ellinger said. "Physically, he's very gifted with speed and changes in gears. Technically, he's very sound when he's got the ball. But he's very good without the ball, too. Tactically, he's very aware. This kid plays way beyond his years."
Adu has been living and training with the Under-17 team at the IMG Academy in Bradenton the past year and is on an accelerated academic schedule that could enable him to get his high school diploma by next February or March, when he's 14
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