Freddy Adu, one of several surprise inclusions in the U.S. squad to face Switzerland Wednesday, hasn’t enjoyed the best start to his European career. The 18-year-old starlet moved from Real Salt Lake to Benfica in July, yet he’s only played a total of 64 minutes in two matches in the two and a half months since he moved to the Portuguese giant. Shortly after his arrival, Adu’s future was thrown in doubt when Fernando Santos, the coach who recruited him from MLS, was fired by the club, was replaced by Jose Antonio Camacho. Since then, the former MLS All-Star has seen just 11 minutes of action — making his inclusion in Bradley’s U.S. squad all the more surprising.
Glasgow Rangers midfielder DaMarcus Beasley, who’s endured similarly frustrating times in Europe, urged Adu to be calm and wait for his opportunity. “He just needs to keep his head straight and not get too down on himself, and when he gets his chances to take them,” Beasley said, adding that he shouldn’t get bogged down with the fickle nature of European coaches, fans and media. Adu, who declined to talk to the Associated Press for this story, needs to be patient-he will get his chance.
Bradley, meanwhile, sounded unconcerned with Adu’s lack of playing time. “It’s normal that a young player needs time to move along in a team like Benfica, and it’s the same way in the national team,” he said.