Hard Work The Key To Adu's Coming-Of-Age

• New York Post, Monday, June 9, 2008 2 PM

After four years of hype and varying levels of achievement, Freddy Adu's performances against Spain and Argentina have prompted Brian Lewis to wonder if this has been the week when "Adu began to realize his vast potential."
 
"The 19-year-old midfielder always showed flashes before," writes Lewis. "Little hints and clues as to what he could do with the ball at his feet. But what always kept him off the field as a 90-minute regular were his shortcomings when the ball wasn't at his feet - work rate, defending, etc. But that's changing."
 
U.S. coach Bob Bradley said that "Freddy's growing. When Freddy has the ball in the attacking part of the field, he's capable of doing great things. But we're also making sure he knows there's more to the game than that." Adu himself says he's "taken on a new mentality," and that his move to Benfica last year made him realize that "regardless of who you are or how much money you make, you've got to work, work, work. You've got to bring it every day. That's something I've taken pride in doing the past year. It's improved my game a lot, made me a better person and a better professional."

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