Front Page Freddy

Remember all those cute but critical headlines we used to see describing Freddy Adu’s career in America? You know, predictable puns like “Adu ready to bid adieu?” and “Much Adu About Nothing.” Well it’s time to get serious; the wunderkind is now working like an 18-year old grown man, and he’s on the verge of something big in Portugal.

Yesterday, Freddy netted home the game-winning goal in the 87th minute to lift a 10-man Benfica side over Maritimo and keep pace with league-leading FC Porto. Earlier in the week he bailed Benfica out with a game-tying goal against Setubal in injury time and then made an impressive appearance in Champions League play (not to mention his productive cameo for the U.S. MNT against Switzerland). Now the Portuguese press is hailing Freddy “The Miracle Boy” and “An American Hero.”

Of course, Freddy’s got a lot of work left to do if he wants to turn this love affair into a real relationship, but if he continues training hard and attacking each new challenge, than it seems like only a matter of time before we consistently see his name in Benfica’s starting lineup. Right now his role consists of coming off the bench late in the game and, like a magician, making something out of nothing. It’s tough circumstances, yes, but at least he’s getting those T90s dirty with game-action, and it certainly makes him an even greater asset to the national team in the immediate present. We’ve never had that type of talent ready to jump off the bench.