Freddy Adu Timeline

Freddy Adu Eric Miller/Getty Images

1989: Born in Ghana on June 2.

1997: Moves to Potomac, Md., after family wins an immigration lottery.

2000: Turns down contract offer from Inter Milan after starring with U.S. Olympic Development Program team in under-14 tournament against the youth squads of such Italian powerhouses as Lazio of Rome and Turin's Juventus.

2002: Joins the U.S. Soccer Federation's youth residency program at the IMG Academies in Florida.

2003:

• Feb. 10: Spotlight doesn't deter U.S. soccer prodigy Adu

• Feb. 15: Adu gains citizenship, should play for U.S. in March

• Feb. 25: U.S. picks phenom Adu for under-17 qualifying

• May 28: Agent confirms Nike deal for 13-year-old Adu 

• June 4: Adu hits two as U.S. youths take second in Korea

• June 11: Adu, U-17s draw Spain, Korea for World Cup

• July 25: Adu among 20 selected for U.S. Under-17 national team

• Aug. 5: Baddoo: Adu raising U.S. hopes before U-17 World Cup

• Aug. 7: Adu leads U.S. youths past Man Utd reserves

• Aug. 12: Scouts, club reps gather for U-17 World Cup

• Aug. 15: Adu's hat trick leads U.S. U-17s over South Korea

• Aug. 17: Phenom Adu downs Sierra Leone with late goal

• Aug. 18: U-17 Adu brings goals, cards, foreign intrigue

• Aug. 23: Brazil blanks U.S. U-17s 3-0 in quarterfinals

• Nov. 13: Adu left off U.S. under-20 roster for FIFA World Youth Championship

• Nov. 18: Adu to be youngest pro since 1887

• Nov. 19: Phenom faces spotlight, stays focused on field

• Nov. 19: Down-to-earth Adu joins roster for U-20 World Cup

• Nov. 19: Press conference quotesheet

• Nov. 21: Adu could be a bargain

• Nov. 21: Teenager Adu draws comparisons with Pele

• Nov. 22: D.C. United getting ready for Freddy

• Nov. 27-Dec. 19: FIFA World Youth Championship 2003 Index

2004:

• Jan. 7: Nowak takes over as coach of D.C., Adu

• Feb. 9: Adu takes part in first D.C. practice

• Feb. 16: Adu joins big leagues with a young teen's psyche

• March 21: Adu scores in pro debut as D.C. wins

• March 27: Adu likely to play in MLS opener

• March 28: Everyone has advice as debut nears

• March 30: Debut expected to be downsized sellout

From SI's Grant Wahl

2004

• March 29 SI: Now it's time for him to play

• Jan. 16: Adu feels pressure of league's top salary

2003

• Nov. 18: MLS signs 14-year-old phenom Adu

• Sept. 5: Carson, Rapids, Adu at center of latest buzz

• Aug. 20: Adu looks as good as advertised at U-17s

• Aug. 17: Adu shows he's as tough as nails

• Aug. 13: Adu eyes U-17 title as agent fields offers

• May 1: Is Manchester United targeting an American prodigy?

• Feb. 27: U.S. prodigy Adu set to take stage

2002:

• Nov. 21: Peering into the crystal ball for 2006 talent

From Soccer America

2004:

• Jan. 8: MLS at his feet

2003:

• Sept. 5: Youth phenom's case prompts pleas for patience

• Aug. 27: Face to face with Freddy Adu

From SI.com's Phil Taylor

• Nov. 24: Enjoy it while you can, Freddy

From CNN/Money

• Nov. 19: European dreams no nightmare for U.S. game

From CNN

• Nov. 19: Teenage kicks with Bill Hemmer

Video

• Nov. 18: Adu gives thanks at media introduction

• Aug. 18: Terry Baddoo on CNN's World Sport