Freddy Adu Unlikely To Make World Cup Squad

Filed in archive World Cup 2006 on May 2, 2006

source: bloommag.com

Anyone keen to see freddy Adu at the World Cup this summer should prepare to be disappointed. USA coach Bruce Arena announces his 23 man squad today at 6 p.m. Eastern (11 p.m. GMT) and only the very optimistic expect the 16 year old D.C. United player to be included.

Adu played a few minutes for the US in January but hasn't been near the squad since, though he has looked impressive in D.C.'s opening 5 games. The problem for Adu is that Arena favours a heavy pressure defend and counter approach which demands a lot of strength and tactical awareness. He constantly speaks of the need for his players to be able to play on both sides of the ball. Freddy can dribble and Freddy can pass, and he's even looking a lot stronger this season but he still lacks the defensive capabilities Arena requires.

Sounds negative, but this is how Arena has made the US the 4th best national team in the world (according to FIFA anyway) and with the tough group the US are in (Czech Republic, Italy, Ghana) it would be tactical suicide to abandon the tried and trusted game plan. Arena's also big on team chemistry and seems to feel the inevitable media attention around Adu would be more trouble than it's worth.