By Ridge Mahoney
in Indianapolis
How can MLS improve its star power and overall quality as it slowly builds itself into a viable, successful sports enterprise?
It tried a few years ago to address both issues by trumpeting the signing of Freddy Adu, who lit up TV screens and newspapers for a time because of his age and presumed attacking talent. But no matter what he did on the field, where he certainly improved and progressed, his blinding flash and perceived fade with D.C. United are etched forever in American soccer history.
Away from the spotlight, somewhat, in Salt Lake City, Adu has a greater chance to blossom into the dynamic offensive force he yearns to be.
For star power, MLS rocked the sports world last Thursday with word it had signed David Beckham. A day later, to far less acclaim but no less importance, it announced Toronto FC selected Maryland midfielder Maurice Edu with the No. 1 pick of the 2007 SuperDraft.
“Not really, I’m just excited about it,” said Edu, who leaves Maryland after his junior year, when asked whether he’s concerned about the pressure of being the top selection. "It doesn’t matter what pick you get. Obviously, maybe No. 1 has a little bit more weight on it, but I don’t feel that pressure. I feel it as more excitement. I’m just anxious to get out there and play.”
A quick, strong midfielder with sharp vision and good feet, Edu is projected to buttress Toronto FC’s central midfield as the holding component. Many MLS teams have fielded pure destroyers at this position for much of the league’s existence; Coach Mo Johnston is expecting more from Edu.
“He’s not just a cruncher,” says Johnston. “He’s a tremendous athlete, very good passer of the ball, covers a lot of ground, he’s strong and aggressive. And for me, he’s very clever upstairs as well. He knows how to play soccer.
“He now has that No. 1 target on his back, and he’ll handle that easily.”
If the league is to attract more players of international caliber it needs to supply them with capable teammates and challenging foes as well as sufficient financial compensation. International flair and flavor are essential, yet so too are staples and skills grown domestically. Edu is a classic example of a youngster who barely remembers a time when there wasn’t an MLS. He’s been focused on a pro career since his youngest days as a player.
“For me it’s been a lifelong goal, a lifelong dream I’ve had since I started playing soccer when I was a kid,” said Edu, 20, who grew up in Fontana, Calif. “I knew right away that was what I wanted to do. I’ve had other aspirations and dreams but soccer’s been my priority. That’s been my goal my whole life.”
The Terps won the national title in 2005. Edu started all 23 games and logged three goals and five assists. After they were eliminated in the third round in 2006, Edu – who started 20 of 20 games and was named first team All-American and a Hermann Trophy semifinalist – thought about whether the time was right to leave the program and its coach, Sasho Cirovski.
“It was like a win-win situation for me,” he said. “I knew that if I stayed there for my senior year, I knew I would have continued to develop and progress and make my jump the next year.
“But leaving Maryland was hard. Sasho, he’s a very passionate guy about soccer. I think that’s why Maryland’s the best program in the country. He’s very demanding and I think the players appreciate that. I know I personally appreciate that and it’s helped me develop over the past three years.”
“I just thought MLS right now was a good opportunity.”