Freddy Adu has had a very odd career. He started as a 14 year old wonderkid at D.C. United, was ultimately disappointing and traded to Real Salt Lake, then was incredible at the 2007 Under-20 World Cup and sold to Benfica. He looked promising in his start at Benfica, but a series of unsuccessful loan spells have ensued since 2008. At AS Monaco and Belenenses, he was either downright poor or didn't play. For Aris and Rizespor, he had his bright spots. Still, most were stunned when Bob Bradley called in Freddy Adu to the Gold Cup squad. Even though he had begun to get his career back on track, he wasn't believed to be a national team option.
In the first three games of the Gold Cup, he didn't make the 18. Against Jamaica, Adu made the 18, but didn't make an appearance. When he came off the bench against Panama tonight, the public was absolutely stunned. Simply on the basis of the shock value of him making an appearance, he became a trending topic on twitter. Then things got interesting.
Freddy Adu not only played well, but was the best player on the pitch from when he entered the game until the final whistle. His ball to Landon Donovan started the move that created the winning goal, and his skill was instrumental in the United States keeping the ball and killing the clock at the end.
Could it be possible that Freddy Adu is back and better than he ever has been? My brain is going to explode.