(Photo: J. Brett Whitesell/ISI) One in a Million By Steven Ehrenberg The shoe company Nike spent $1 million on their newest pitchman: 14-year-old soccer star Freddy Adu. Adu may be too young to play for a professional team, but that doesn't stop him from dazzling fans and opponents. At an Under-14 tournament in Italy recently, the crowd was so impressed with his moves that they started yelling "Olé!" every time he touched the ball. "He's pretty amazing, especially for [his age]," said 16-year-old Chris Germani, who has seen Freddy play. Tapes of his fancy footwork circulated on the Internet, and the media compared him to all-time soccer greats Pelé and Ronaldo, the Most Valuable Plyer at last summer's World Cup. "When he steps onto the pitch [field], he's not 13," said the U.S. Under-17 coach, John Ellinger. The Nike deal will give Adu the opportunity "to go through school and not have to sell his playing ability," said family adviser Arnold Tarzy. According to his contract, Adu will have to make a certain number of appearances on behalf of the shoe company, but very little else. He hopes to train in Europe, and he may play for the U.S. Under-23 team in the 2004 Summer Olympics.

SJ: How does it feel to finally be an American citizen?
Freddy Adu: It feels real good. Been waiting for it for a long time.

SJ: During World Championship qualifying, you beat six Guatemalan defenders and hit the crossbar. Six defenders?
FA: Yeah, I had a lot of people on me, and I had to get out of it. So I just took the ball and got by the first guy; then I had, like, five [defenders] to go. By now, I was close to the goal, and coach always says if you're close to the goal—or in their attacking third—be creative. So I was just like, you know what? I'm gonna take it. I just got a little unlucky with the shot.

SJ: What's your go-to move?
FA: I would say the double step-over. First, I step over [the ball] with my left foot and then the right, and then just push it to my left by the defender.

SJ: And where's the defender at this point?
FA: He'd be going in the other direction. I've just crossed him over like a basketball player.

SJ: As the youngest person on the team, do you ever feel out of place with the older guys?
FA: Not really. They treat me like one of the guys.

SJ: Who's your best friend on this team?
FA: I don't have a best friend on this team, but everybody's favorite guy is funny-guy Chase Wileman.

SJ: So we hear your little brother is better than you. That true?
FA: Ha! He's getting there, but I don't think so. He's like Tim Duncan—steady, not flashy.

SJ: Whose CD are you listening to right now?
FA: I gotta go with my man, Fabolous.

SJ: Really? Not 50 Cent?
FA: Well, it was 50 before ...

SJ: Where do you want to be in four years?
FA: I'm gunning to make that 2006 World Cup team. My ultimate dream is to win the World Cup and maybe score a goal. That would be great.

SJ: You might even have facial hair then, right?
FA: Yeah, 'cause I'll be 17...

SJ: Could you play in MLS right now?
FA: Yeah, I think I could. We've played against those guys, and from the way I've played against them, I definitely feel like I could.

SJ: Have you met any famous people?
FA: Yes, I have. I got to see Serena Williams, and I'm supposed to meet Dick Vitale soon.

SJ: What word comes to mind when we say ... Cobi Jones?
FA: Dreads.

SJ: Girls?
FA: I can't believe you went there ... trouble.

SJ: Bruce Arena?
FA: Great coach.

SJ: That's two words, but we'll let it slide.
FA: Thanks. That would be huge.

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