Why isn't Freddy on the team this year? I don't follow soccer that much, but I know he is a really good player.

he's just not as good as the other players on the team....

I'm afraid you mistake hype for actual performance. Adu is indeed a good player, but he has done very little as a professional to show that he should be on the national team. He is still very young and many expect him to be on the squad for the next world cup.

I think he's only 17 years old. Not many players make World Cup team that young. Fully expect him to be on squad for next qualifying.

Adu isn't very good yet. For a 17 year-old he is world class, but for a world class soccer player, he is still a few years away.

Also, have you seen our team? It is the most talented USA team ever put together.

I thought he was supposed to be the next Pele..............yeah right!

Get ready, there is supposed to have been a lot of "next Pele's" but I'm pretty sure that you'll never find another human that will score 1000 top flight goals.

theo walcott must be awesome

Adu isn't close to being the best player on his professional team. He is young so give him time.

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I have seen the enemy, and it is us.

Actually...

Much of Adu's hype centered around how well he played at such a young age. However there is a lot of controversy surrounding his real age. Many think he is a lot older than his stated age.

Ronaldo at 17 was much better than Freddie, same with Ronaldinho

quote:

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I thought he was supposed to be the next Pele..............yeah right!

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Bitter Tri Colores fan.

I don't know very little about international soccer, but I heard from some friends recently that u19 players are not put on the WC squad. I don't know whether they were refering to rules or historical trends. Either way, is there any truth to that?

Ronaldo was on the Brazillian national team at 17 that won the World cup

There are always plenty of young players on World Cup squads. This year, just off the top of my head, I can think of Walcott (17, England) and Messi (18, Argentina). Of course Pele in 1958 is the most famous example

On the bandwagon since birth. Raised in the bleachers of Kyle, Olsen, and G. Rollie White

[This message has been edited by Ag Since 83 (edited 5/30/2006 11:29a).]

Interestingly enough they have an award to acknowledge the younger players at the world cup. It is called the Best Young Player Award...this will be the first year its handed out. Its only for players that are under 21 at the start of the calendar year...born before january 1st 1985.

Its probably between C.Ronaldo and Messi but who knows

Considering the fact that the US team is ranked 4th in the world, it's no surprise that Adu isn't on the team. I have no doubt that he will be on the next World Cup team, but he just isn't ready for it now.

FIFA rankings are worse then pre-season college football rankings..................I'll leave it at that.