Saturday could mark the dawn of a new era in soccer: the American era. At 4 p.m. Eastern Time, the D.C. United and the San Jose Earthquakes will play perhaps the most meaningful Major League Soccer match of all time. One of America’s young up-and-coming stars will meet the U.S.’s first true soccer superstar, as Landon Donovan shares the field with 14-year-old Freddy Adu.
Both represent what the United States needs more of: good soccer players. Just 21-years-old, Donovan has been named U.S. Player of the Year in back-to-back years and is establishing himself as one of the leaders of soccer’s next generation.
Adu, meanwhile, is the type of player who comes around once in a lifetime. Blessed with talent and skill that draw comparisons to the legendary Pele, he is developing the larger-than-life persona that can make him an international superstar. How many players sign endorsement deals with Nike before they are old enough to drive? It’s safe to say, not a whole lot of them. Adu is a special, special case: He has the ability to put U.S. soccer on the map. He will be the face of the next wave of American players.
Every cleat and T-shirt that Nike sells is not only promoting Adu but is inadvertently promoting American soccer, which Adu equally represents.
Oh, and he can play. Adu, Donovan and DeMarcus Beasley could form the offensive trio that someday moves the United States from underdog to favorite in the World Cup. That time is closer than many think or would like to think. America is a sleeping giant in the international soccer community. It has the athletes and the resources to become a world power. The 2002 World Cup showed what the American national team is capable of. Slowly but surely, Americans are beginning to grab starring roles on international soccer’s main stage.
Striker Brian McBride recently signed with Fulham of the English Premier League, Clint Mathis is playing for Hannover in the top German league and Tim Howard is firmly entrenched as the No. 1 goalkeeper for Manchester United.
Yes, that Manchester United: Ruud van Nistelrooy, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and company — probably the most famous football club in the world. Granted, it has slipped somewhat by its standards — it currently sits in third place in the Barclaycard Premiership standings — but the Red Devils do not let just anyone hit the pitch with the regulars.
That Howard is starting in net for an elite Premiership club speaks volumes about the talent he possesses, as well as the talent level developing here in the States.
Regardless of the talent level, though, until American soccer finds its superstar, it will not thrive — at least in terms of marketability, and that seems to be the key to success in the United States. Nothing against Timmy Howard; he’s a tremendous keeper, but I just do not believe that little kids are growing up with his poster on the wall.
That hope rests on Adu’s 14-year-old shoulders. America loves a phenom, and Adu is the prodigy of all prodigies. Donovan and Beasley’s performance may be equally crucial to the success of the national team, but it will be Adu’s drawing power that brings new fans to the game and his world-class ability that delivers a slap in the face to all the Europeans looking down their noses at the pitiful band of Yankees trying to play “their game.”
Hold up, I’m getting a bit ahead of myself. The United States must be sold on the world’s game before the world’s game can be sold on the United States. That process is gradually happening. Recreational soccer leagues are commonplace throughout the country, and kids are now growing up having played soccer their entire lives.
Ten years ago, baseball was the only summer sport among America’s youth. Today, it is no longer the undisputed summer pastime. Inside their closets, half those kids have shin guards and soccer cleats stashed next to their baseball bat and glove. Those kids are all looking for a hero. If Adu can be to these kids what Mickey Mantle was to past generations of Little Leaguers, then American soccer has a chance to truly blossom.
What U.S. soccer needs is for Adu to become the American David Beckham. He does not have to be the best player, but he needs to be a star. Beckham is never the best player on the field, but he is always the biggest star.
That is not to say Adu’s play does not matter. He still must be a great player, but he does not have to carry the team by himself. He can allow Donovan, Beasley and Claudio Reyna to shoulder some of the load. The key will be that his persona changes the perception of observers in this country and others, opening up the game to kids who otherwise would never kick a soccer ball.
Well, even if Adu does lead an American soccer revolution, the question for many will still be, “Who cares? Soccer is boring. I won’t watch it.” Well, for starters, soccer is not boring, and most people who think so never played or are simply too close-minded to give it a chance. But, more importantly, given the right amount of star power, even a “boring” sport can thrive.
Look no further than golf and what Tiger Woods did for the commercial appeal of that sport. There are not any crossover dribbles and 360-dunks involved in golf, but Woods has certainly taken it to a new level. Golf may have long been popular, but it was not cool until Tiger arrived on the scene.
Adu can bring to soccer the combined star power of Woods and Michelle Wie rolled into one. If soccer is to hit mainstream America, he will be the one to deliver it to the masses.
When Adu takes the field Saturday, it will be history in the making. What remains to be seen is how quickly America takes notice. Donovan and Adu can also send a message to the world: Watch out, the Americans are coming.
