The Golden Child

I haven't posted anything about soccer in quite a while, but Monday brought the surprising news that DC United had traded starlet Freddy Adu to Real Salt Lake. Freddy was packaged with backup goalkeeper Nick Rimando in exchange for RSL's backup 'keeper Jay Nolly (who's younger and has a much lower salary than Rimando), a major player allocation, and future considerations. When my dad first emailed me the link, I thought it was a joke, but after more consideration, this seems to be a pretty good trade for almost everyone. United unloads a high-profile but somewhat temperamental teenager who hasn't always had the strongest relationship with his coach, and who also seems very likely to move to a team in Europe this summer once he turns 18 (FIFA rules prevent players from playing for teams outside their home country before their 18th birthday). They also move a goalie whose salary was much too high to be a backup and could be starting on several other teams in the league. In exchange, they receive a lot of cap space, the ability to sign several high-profile players they've been scouting before the season begins (rather than in the middle of the year, which would have been the case had they held onto Freddy and he left for Europe), and still receive a good portion of the transfer fee if Freddy does end up being sold to a Euro team.

For Freddy, he gets reunited with his Under-17 coach, John Ellinger (now coaching RSL), and gets the chance to play his preferred position in central midfield. At DC, he was stuck behind reigning MVP Christian Gomez, who DC just re-signed to an extended contract. In Salt Lake, he has the chance to be the Man.

The only party who has the chance to lose out on this deal is Real Salt Lake. Right now, they're going to enjoy the bump in publicity (and likely, ticket sales) as Freddy's presence should attract a lot more casual fans and their pre-teen children. But if Freddy does jump ship and head to Europe in the August transfer window, RSL takes a big credibility hit and is left holding the bag on this trade.

This trade actually got some play outside of the traditionally soccer media, most notably on Sportscenter and even rated a mention during halftime of Monday Night Football. There's been plenty of coverage in newspapers and on the internet, and I've included a variety of links below. Prepare yourself for a whole bunch of bad puns on "Adu/Adieu".
DC United/MLS Press Release
United Trades Adu, Washington Post
It's A Win-Win for Adu and United, Washington Post
DC Deals Teenage Star Adu to RSL, Salt Lake Tribune
Adu's Arrival Leads to Lineup Questions, Salt Lake Tribune
Furor Over Freddy Might Not Last Long, Salt Lake Tribune
Much Adu About Nothing (oh, how original), Sunday Herald
Adu Bids DC United adieu, traded to Salt Lake, ESPN/AP
Adu Starts Over in Real Salt Lake, ESPN
Adu Still Hampered by Unrealistic Expectations, ESPN
DC United Reap Rich Haul from Adu Trade, ESPN
"Best Place for Me", SI.com/AP
Five on Freddy, SI.com

And in other soccer news, after a long and fruitless pursuit of Juergen Klinsmann came to naught, US Soccer announced that Bob Bradley, former coach of the Chicago Fire, NY/NJ Metrostars, and Chivas USA and former US National team assistant, has been named interim head coach of the National Team. An odd move, and one that has been much-debated by soccer pundits since Bradley is perceived by many to be a chip off the block of Bruce Arena, the coach US Soccer just fired. I think Bradley may turn out to be a better choice than most people seem to think, but only time will tell. Here's a few links on that as well.
Official US Soccer Press Release
Bradley Named US National Team Coach, ESPN/AP
Gulati Right Not to Rush the Decision, ESPN
Search for a New Coach Far from Over, ESPN
Bombshell of a Day, SI.com