April 4, 2004
Adu's debut
Soccer phenom Freddy Adu began his professional career yesterday with D.C. United, but it was two other young players and a seasoned vet who stole the spotlight.
Veteran Jaime Moreno set up one goal for young Alecko Eskandarian and completed another in the 2-1 victory over San Jose. And Bobby Convey, some years ago D.C. United's first teenage phenom, was a danger all game long, with fierce runs up the left sideline that left him wide open for a shot he inexplicably missed.
Adu came on in the 61st minute and seemed either muted or self-contained compared to Convey and Eskandarian. Still, on the few occasions when he got the ball, he moved beautifully and showed amazing quickness in his passes. His teammates will have to get used to Adu's speed.
We are very fortunate that this teenager originally from Ghana will be starting his career in the United States and that those of us in the Baltimore-Washington area get to make a short drive to see him play.
NOTE to D.C. United officials: PLEASE turn down the volume of the announcements and the music before the game starts and during half time. Painfully loud! We met my nephew Matt and local soccer coach Rick Crow and couldn't converse at all except as the game was being played. Arrggh.
Also, the concession stands seemed disorganized, running out of O'Douls, burritos and other items even before the game started.
- posted by jbelliveau at 3:23 PM in
