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Lightning struck twice for Tottenham Hotspur after being trounced at St. James' Park for the second Premier League campaign running.

356 days after losing 6-1 against Eddie Howe's high-flying Newcastle United, Tottenham were dismantled 4-0 in a display littered with calamitous errors and a total absence of harmony.

With Ange Postecoglou appointed last summer after the dismality of the 2022/23 campaign, Spurs have made improvements and now fight for Champions League qualification after missing out on Europe entirely last year.

Micky van de Ven, signed from Wolfsburg for £43m, has been one of the architects of the revival, but he suffered a truly wretched afternoon on Tyneside in his worst performance to date.

Micky Van de Ven's game in numbers

Van de Ven has been an absolute machine in the rearguard this season and has been praised as "one of the defensive signings of the summer" by journalist Henry Winter, though while he's been largely excellent, he suffered a terrible afternoon against the Magpies.

The table above portrays crisp passing and active defensive work, but a deeper dive into the Netherlands international's showing in Newcastle reveals just how woeful he was in the early phases as the hosts blitzed into a two-goal lead after the half-hour mark.

Van de Ven slipped after Alexander Isak had been put through on goal, with pundit Ally McCoist bemusedly remarking that the 22-year-old looked like he "had rollerblades on" after he was sent slewing into the turf when closing on Isak, trying to stop him from shooting.

The Dutchman was later thwarted in his defensive efforts once more, with his futile attempts at stopping the brilliant Anthony Gordon from doubling Newcastle's lead ending with him on the floor for the second time in just a few minutes.

While Van de Ven flattered to deceive against Newcastle, he wasn't the only underperformer under Postecoglou's wing, having been hung out to dry by his full-backs, with Pedro Porro particularly poor.

Pedro Porro's performance vs Newcastle

Porro joined the Lilywhites from Sporting CP on loan in January 2023 and completed a permanent move for £39m during the summer, and while he ebbed and flowed last term, he has been one of the standouts this season.

As per Sofascore, the Spanish right-back has scored one goal and supplied seven assists across 29 appearances in the top flight this season, creating ten big chances, averaging 1.6 key passes, 2.8 tackles, 5.7 ball recoveries and 4.9 successful duels per game.

However, his mistimed clearance accidentally teed up Gordon to score and leave Van de Ven hot under the collar, and while he made two tackles, clearances and blocked shots each while winning five of his eight ground duels, Porro was absolutely at fault for the lack of balance and fluency.

He also took just 33 touches, meaning he saw fewer moments in possession than his shot-stopper, Guglielmo Vicario, who took 50 touches.

Football.london's Tottenham correspondent, Alasdair Gold, echoed this sentiment, branding Porro with a 3/10 match score after handing the error-riddled Van de Ven 4/10.

He wrote: 'Made an important early interception to stop Barnes having a chance in the Spurs box. However, he struggled from then on, looking like he was carrying some sort of injury, and horribly sliced a clearance into his own box for Gordon to score. Came off early in the second half with whatever had been troubling.'

Report names the three players Tottenham intend to seal summer deals for

Spurs want to back Postecoglou this summer.

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 12, 2024

With the 24-year-old defender forced off before 50 minutes, there will be heightened concern that he has been felled by a hamstring issue two weeks before hosting title-chasing rivals Arsenal.

Hopefully, he recovers in good time. But if Porro produces another performance similar to his effort at St. James' Park, Spurs' misery may well continue.

Bargain deals seem to be at the centre of Tottenham Hotspur's summer plans, with reports once again suggesting that they could turn towards the upcoming free agent market to strengthen Ange Postecoglou's squad.

Tottenham transfer news

The Lilywhites haven't been shy when it comes to backing Postecoglou throughout his tenure and whilst that may not change this summer, it looks as though the North London club will be taking a wiser approach, rather than splashing the cash, to avoid any possible run-ins with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules.

With that said, both Tosin Adarabioyo and Lloyd Kelly have already been mentioned as options for those at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as both players prepare to become free agents at the end of the current campaign. Two players who tick the box for Premier League experience, the Lilywhites would be handing Postecoglou a boost by signing either option.

It looks as though Spurs' summer plans revolve around strengthening at the back too, despite signing Radu Dragusin in the January transfer window and Micky van de Ven last summer, with another Premier League option reportedly emerging.

Pundit moots Werner exit as Tottenham eye £42.8 million statement signing

The German is drawing a mixed opinion.

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 21, 2024

According to GiveMeSport, Spurs are now eyeing a move to sign Gabriel Osho, who is set to leave Luton Town upon the expiry of his current contract this summer. Another potential free deal, Spurs could quickly become the land of free agents if they get their wish in the coming months.

Osho may not be a bad option to turn to either, given that he's at the top of his game with a career-high Transfermarkt valuation to attract such interest from Spurs as well as Aston Villa and Fulham. What's more, the fact that the central defender can also play right-back and defensive midfield means that Spurs could be solving three issues with one summer swoop in a major boost for Postecoglou.

"Gifted" Osho is better than Dragusin

Since arriving in January, Dragusin is yet to really break into Postecoglou's side on a permanent basis, with just two Premier League starts to his name creating questions over his ability to become a consistent option in North London. Where Dragusin has failed, Osho can thrive, however, to hand the likes of Van de Ven and Cristian Romero some respite at the back.

Rob Edwards will be well aware of the quality that he is bidding farewell to this summer, meanwhile, having handed Osho plenty of praise earlier this season. Edwards said via Luton Today: “All the best with that boy, on you go! I think if anyone’s capable it’s him.

"He’s a naturally gifted athlete and someone who’s very intelligent as well, switched on, so I back him to step up to any challenge really. I think the level he was performing at last year was like a Premier League footballer anyway, so I expect him to be able to come in and handle it pretty well."

Who's hot, who's not? GOAL ranks all 29 teams across Major League Soccer

The 2024 MLS field is more open than ever. There's a clear hierarchy atop both the Eastern and Western Conferences, but outside the top five teams, it's open season for playoff qualification.

On matchday 30, Inter Miami and Luis Suarez dominated the Chicago Fire, and the Herons are looking like a team of destiny. However, nothing is guaranteed as the season closes out, despite their seven-point lead atop the Supporters' Shield standings.

Reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew, who just claimed the Leagues Cup after a thrilling victory over LAFC, avoided a tournament hangover with a brilliant victory over NYCFC.

In a major turn of events, both the LA Galaxy and LAFC – the top two teams in the West – were on the opposite end of three points in their respective matches. Meanwhile, Phil Neville's Portland Timbers claimed the Cascadia Cup, while CF Montreal look like a club in freefall.

With the MLS campaign nearing a close, which club leads the pack, and who is falling short of expectations? GOAL presents the latest MLS Power Rankings.

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  29Nashville SC ⬇️

  Sigh. Another week, another loss. B.J. Callaghan is putting his footprint down on the club, and that's about the only positive to take away at the moment.

  This roster needs a massive overhaul come the winter.

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• 28CF Montreal ⬇️

  Disaster. Nine goals conceded in their past two matches.

  Laurent Courtois has to be feeling the heat. Nothing is going to plan.

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  27San Jose Earthquakes ⬇️

  The Quakes failed to secure a result in a rather winnable match against the Loons on their home ground over the weekend. They fell 2-1 and remain bottom of the West on just 17 points. Nothing went right for them on the night.

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• 26Chicago Fire ⬇️

  Pummeled by Inter Miami, the Fire played with a lack of confidence at the weekend. An own goal, missed marking in the box and lapses of communication haunted them.

Kevin De Bruyne has worn the captain’s armband at times for Manchester City, but he has never pushed to fill that role on a permanent basis.

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• Midfielder is skipper of his country
• Part of leadership team at Etihad Stadium
• Wants to focus on his own game

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The talismanic Belgian midfielder has formed part of Pep Guardiola’s leadership group for some time, with five senior figures asked to take on added responsibility within that pack. De Bruyne is happy to play his part, as a man that has always looked to lead by example.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  De Bruyne prefers to inspire with actions, rather than words, and it is for that reason that he has never sought to become City’s skipper. According to , the highly-decorated 33-year-old “would rather focus on playing than the extra responsibilities”.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Being a captain is reportedly “not really for him”, despite filling that role for his country. De Bruyne has been left frustrated there, though, and was caught on camera telling Belgium’s sporting director Franky Vercautern “I quit” following a 2-0 UEFA Nations League defeat to France.

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  TELL ME MORE

  De Bruyne said in a candid interview after that contest: “The standard is the top level and if you are not good enough you have to give everything, and some are not doing that.” Concerns regarding effort and application are not an issue at the Etihad Stadium – where Guardiola demands nothing but the best.

While West Ham United supporters have enjoyed their fair share of success under David Moyes' leadership, it feels like the Scotsman's reign is reaching a natural conclusion.

Unfortunately, the Irons' hopes of clinching a fourth successive season in European competition dangle by a thread at his late stage, with the ninth-placed Premier League side two points behind Newcastle United – who have a game in hand – and beset with a gruelling run of forthcoming fixtures.

Moyes has previously claimed that he has fresh terms on the table and that the situation will be resolved after the season finishes, but sporting director Tim Steidten seems to be scouring the market for a successor, with Ruben Amorim at the top of the list.

West Ham eyeing Ruben Amorim alternative

Amorim was understood to be West Ham's "top target", according to The Athletic's David Ornstein, earlier this week, though following crunch talks in London it appears that Amorim has taken a backseat, with alternative options now being explored.

One such option is Lille manager Paulo Fonseca, with GiveMeSport revealing that the Hammers wish to speak to the 51-year-old as they seek the right Moyes successor.

How West Ham could look under Paulo Fonseca

Fonseca has effectively stamped his style onto the Lille first-team squad and it is a brand of football that has no doubt enticed the Irons, with possession-heavy, attack-focussed play incorporated within a 4-2-3-1 formation – hinting at a seamless transition in east London.

Lille are fourth in Ligue 1 this season and have conceded as few goals as indomitable table-toppers Paris Saint-Germain (26), building once again after finishing tenth in 2021/22 – the year before Fonseca's appointment.

While West Ham are somewhat conservative under Moyes, there is no doubt that the discipline and collective understanding of the 60-year-old's hard-graft philosophy works a treat when the cogs click together – as evidenced by several years of continental qualification and triumph in the Europa Conference League last year.

As the video above, a brilliant insight into the Portuguese's many-layered tactical mind, conveys, Fonseca is willing to adapt and has done so throughout his professional career, recognising the strengths and weaknesses of his sides, the rigours and demands of the country's football and the best ways to find success.

Overlapping fullbacks and in-cutting wide forwards feature heavily, which could play into the shining attributes of Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus – the latter especially.

Why Mohammed Kudus could thrive under Fonseca

West Ham signed Kudus from Ajax in a £38m transfer last summer and the Ghana international has enjoyed some excellent moments throughout his first year in English football, scoring 13 goals and supplying four assists.

Kudus is a versatile and dynamic winger with, evidently, a clinical goal threat, having even been described as a "generational talent" by African journalist Gary Al-Smith in the past.

His clinical ability, electric ball progression and defensive work rate make him a dream fit for any manager, but Fonseca's style of play would be a particularly providential arrival for the 23-year-old's skill set, with the wide-moving full-backs opening space and allowing Kudus to drift inside and focus on breaking the opposition's net.

Given Fonseca's usual connection with his players and the previous praise that he is "perfect in the dressing room", as was said by Fabrizio Romano, it might just be the move to make for the West Ham board.

With the likes of Bowen and Kudus at his disposal, Fonseca – or any incoming manager for that matter – should well be licking their lips in excitement.

£108m duo sign: How West Ham's lineup could look under Ruben Amorim

The London Stadium could look very different indeed come August.

By
Angus Sinclair

Apr 24, 2024

Everton might have endured another testing campaign in the Premier League but Sean Dyche has successfully preserved top-flight status with relative ease despite an eight-point deduction.

While things went pear-shaped back in December when an impressive start to the season was sliced following breaches of Premier League profit and Sustainability rules, a businesslike approach to recent fixtures has seen a steady run of form establish an 11-point gap from 18th-placed Luton Town with two matches to go.

The tortuous series of events this season may not have abated just yet, but the Toffees players can take much pride in their commitment and composure on the pitch, never letting the carnivorous chomp of the docked points consume them.

Pre-season, the need for a new talisman was glaring, and while Beto was signed from Udinese for £26m last August, the resurgence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin has proved to be one of the decisive factors over recent months.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin's season in numbers

Beto had been hailed for his "quality" by journalist Josh Bunting before making the move to Merseyside and while he has made his physicality known, a rather uninspiring offensive impact has hardly left fans gushing, with just three Premier League goals all term.

Calvert-Lewin, conversely, has enjoyed a bright season at the front of Dyche's system, scoring seven league goals and matching the tally of the past two campaigns combined, where he started only 15 fixtures each time.

After spending such an interminably long period injured, or away from his best football given the persistent fitness problems, it's excellent to witness Calvert-Lewin approaching his best once again, having scored four goals from his past five matches.

Not just a goalscorer, though, Calvert-Lewin is averaging 0.6 key passes and 6.2 successful duels per game, as per Sofascore, with The Athletic's Patrick Boyland even remarking that he's been "like the DCL of old" in recent efforts.

If he can carry his form into the 2024/25 campaign, Beto might be facing a premature exit, failing to live up to the price tag. Calvert-Lewin will need an offensive partner, however, and academy talent Martin Sherif might just be the perfect homegrown option for Dyche.

Why Everton must unleash Martin Sherif

Hailed for his "composed" finishing by Boyland, Dutch striker Sherif made waves at youth level last season, with the Everton official website describing him as a 'powerful attacker with excellent finishing ability'.

Across 18 starting appearances in the U18 Premier League last season, the 17-year-old bagged 14 goals and added four assists, blending his brawny physicality with a sharp goalscoring instinct.

Moreover, he signed his first professional contract with the club last summer and so is clearly held in high regard by the Everton board, who view his skill set as one built for success at senior level.

This term, the teenager has been in and out of the squad but he has been promoted to the U21s and scored on his sole start, against West Bromwich Albion.

He might have been in and out of competitive action this season but Sherif has been noted for the 'fearsome impression' – according to Rheinische Post – that he made with the U18s at the U19s Champions Trophy – also known as the Easter Tournament – only last month.

He's still so young and looks to have the physical qualities for success at the highest level in the Premier League, and Everton might just hit the jackpot by unleashing this homegrown prodigy alongside Calvert-Lewin next season.

Brazil star Rodrygo says his team need Neymar back "as soon as possible" as he feels they will not win the World Cup without the injured attacker.

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• Neymar out since October with ACL injury
• Brazil disappointing in World Cup qualifying
• Rodrygo desperate to have him back

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Neymar has been out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury since October last year and it is not yet known when he will be back in action. It has been suggested that Al-Hilal could leave him out of their squad until January so that they can still use all other foreign stars in the first half of the 2024-25 season.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Brazil have disappointed in World Cup qualifying so far without Neymar as they sit in fourth place and eight points behind leaders Argentina. According to Real Madrid star Rodrygo, the Selecao would be in better shape if the 32-year-old were in the side as he fears for their hopes at the 2026 tournament.

• WHAT RODRYGO SAID

  Rodrygo said to : "I have no words. Everyone can see it, it's clear how much he's missed. He's our star, our best player. To win a World Cup, everyone has to be well to help him. If he's well, which is what we're hoping for, he's in the final stages of his recovery. We want him back as soon as possible. I always exchange messages with him, he's now returning to training with the group. He's a great partner. I feel sad when I see someone talking badly about him, because of the person he is. He always sends me messages, helps me. I love him. In addition to being my idol as a player, as a person he has shown himself to be a fantastic person."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR RODRYGO?

  Rodrygo and his Brazil co-stars will attempt to draw closer to Argentina when they come up against Paraguay in World Cup qualifying in midweek.

It has been a tough season for Manchester United in 2023/24. With just four games to go, including an FA Cup final against Manchester City, United will be hoping to end on a high. They have been on a poor run of form, which has seen them win just one win in eight games, plus the win on penalties in the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry.

The Red Devils currently sit in eighth in the Premier League on 54 points. There is a three-point gap between them and the final Europa League spot, and the Conference League spot, currently occupied by Newcastle and Chelsea respectively, who are both on 57 points.

However, the underlying numbers are much worse than that. According to Understat, United’s expected points total is just 42.49 points, which would place them 14th in the Premier League table.

Of course, it has not been an easy season for Erik ten Hag, largely due to the sheer amount of injuries he has had to handle. The Dutchman’s side has had an unfortunate 60 cases of injury or illness this season, with key players including Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw sidelined for most of the campaign.

However, Ten Hag does have an important player set to return from injury for Arsenal’s trip to Old Trafford on Sunday, which could see one of his signings from his first season in charge dropped from the side.

Christian Eriksen's season in numbers

The man in question here is Denmark international Christian Eriksen, who has found himself in the side in recent weeks, despite a season in which he has only played fleeting minutes for United.

The former Tottenham midfielder has featured just 25 times in all competitions this term, with 19 of those coming in the Premier League. In total, Eriksen has played 1,410 minutes in all competitions, which equates to only 15 full 90 minutes, scoring once and registering two assists along the way.

In his debut year at Old Trafford, Eriksen was a vital player until January, when he suffered an injury in the FA Cup which kept him out until April. Prior to that injury, the 32-year-old had been a key cog in a midfield made up of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes.

However, he has struggled with fitness this season, and at times can struggle to complete a full game if he plays from the start. Not only that, the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo has pushed Eriksen further down the pecking order, meaning there have been even fewer opportunities for the Dane.

Couple that with a hopeless performance against Palace, which was awarded a 1/10 rating by MEN's Samuel Luckhurst and it would not be a shock if he comes out of the team.

Another player, who has had a key role this season under Ten Hag, could well slot into the side along with Mainoo and Fernandes against Arsenal, which would see Eriksen drop the bench against Arsenal.

The man to replace Christian Eriksen

Scotland international Scott McTominay has become a key player under Ten Hag in 2023/24, which has perhaps been surprising to many fans, given he nearly left last summer. West Ham were linked with a £45m move for the midfielder, as per The Telegraph.

McTominay has scored ten goals in all competitions, which is actually United’s third most in the entire squad; only Fernandes with 15 and summer signing Rasmus Hojlund with 14 have scored more times than the Scot.

Indeed, the seven goals McTominay has in the Premier League is his best tally since making his debut under Jose Mourinho in the 2016/17 campaign.

McTominay’s effectiveness as a box-crashing, all-phase number eight in midfield has been clear to see this season. His physicality and power to get on the end of crosses has been a key way United have found the back of the net this season, and it has bailed them out on multiple occasions, earning them crucial points when a draw or defeat seemed likely.

Not only has this been noticed by Ten Hag, who has made plenty of use of McTominay’s physicality and box-crashing ability, but former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has noted it in the past.

In 2020, the United legend said that the 27-year-old is “a physical monster”, before acknowledging the fact that McTominay “never shirks anything and he gets his rewards”. This has certainly been the case this season.

It could well be the case that Ten Hag decides to drop Eriksen in favour of McTominay on Sunday. Given his knack for scoring clutch goals, plus his physicality against the likes of Declan Rice and Thomas Partey, he could well be a difference-maker as United look to spoil Arsenal’s title challenge.

Man Utd have a star who could "school" Declan Rice once again

Old Trafford must return to form against an imperious, unstoppable Arsenal unit on Sunday afternoon.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 12, 2024

Arsenal have been warned by Gary Neville that they risk being a forgotten team if they fail to win the Premier League or Champions League.

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• Arsenal finished second to Man City
• Looking to win Premier League this season
• Told they need 'statement win' against champions

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  After surrendering a lead at the top of the Premier League table to finish second behind Manchester City for the second year in a row last season, Arsenal are aiming to end the dominance of Pep Guardiola's side this time around.

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  Despite the strength of Mikel Arteta's team, ex-Manchester United star Neville says failure to land a major trophy will see them consigned to "nearly men", as he challenged them to earn a "statement win" against City on Sunday.

• WHAT NEVILLE SAID

  "If this superb Arsenal team doesn’t win the Premier League or the Champions League then they can forget about going down in history. That’s harsh but the reality of elite sport," he wrote in newsletter for . "No one will fondly recall the magnificence of William Saliba and Gabriel at the back, the brilliance of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, David Raya’s extraordinary saves or the incision of Bukayo Saka up front. There will be no Netflix documentaries. They will never be feted or admired. They will be dismissed as nearly men."

  Neville added: "History is unforgiving of those who fall just short. And that’s why, for all the excellent work they’ve done in the past two years, there is still a step to take. We’re too early in the season to describe Sunday’s clash with Manchester City at the Etihad as a title decider. Yet Arsenal need a statement win because they need to damage Manchester City and to demonstrate to themselves that they are the team of the moment."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

  The Gunners sit two points behind reigning champions City after four Premier League games, with the two teams going head-to-head at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Dubbed the next Pele, Adu took the pitch for D.C. United 20 years ago in one of the most-hyped moments in American soccer

It is too easily forgotten – by this generation, at least – how significant of a figure Freddy Adu was in the American soccer landscape. Here was a teenager who was being compared to Pele, and being marketed as the next big hope for MLS and U.S. Soccer.

The sporting world didn't have to wait long for the moment to come. Adu made his debut in D.C. United's first game of the season, coming off the bench in a 2-1 win.

And so a phenom was given life, in a world before YouTube compilations, Twitter scouts, and even worldwide accessibility of the sport. All eyes turned to a 14-year-old who was nowhere near ready for the magnitude of the moment thrust upon him.

Still, it was a landmark moment in American soccer, with fans in the country getting a first look at a player that would come to define the game in North America. GOAL takes a look at that unforgettable moment 20 years ago in latest edition of Throwback Thursday.

• What happened?

  In the 61st minute of D.C. United's season opening win over San Jose on April 3, 2004 at an uncharacteristically packed RFK Field, a scrawny 14-year-old Adu got loose on the sideline. Alecko Eskandarian – who had scored the crucial second goal in the first half – jogged off the pitch and with a big hug for the hyped teenage prospect, became one of the more consequential substitutions from a game in U.S. sports.

  Adu was first properly involved in the 66th minute. The crowd rose to its feet. Adu came close to giving them something to scream about, all in three touches. The first corralled a pass, the second took the ball out of his feet, and the third played a perfectly weighted ball out to winger Dema Kovalenko. A better cross from him to a wide-open forward, and Adu would've had a pre-assist on his professional debut.

  The teenager was sparingly involved otherwise. He had the softest of penalty shouts waved off in the 84th minute. All said, it was an agreeable debut, but one in which he failed to make an impact.

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• Why it mattered

  Where to start? At 14 years, 306 days, Adu became the youngest player at the time to debut in any professional sport in the United States. He would later become the youngest goalscorer in MLS, and youngest debutant for the USMNT.

  But that day, that cameo, had far more of an impact for the game stateside. Adu became a marketing gold mine for MLS and various brands that he was attached to.

  Adu had already appeared on "Late Night with David Letterman" and spoke about his ambitions to play in the Premier League. Whether or not that ultimately factored into him failing to live up to the considerable hype that was created for him is debatable, but it was exciting at the time to envision what could potentially be.

• From those who were there

  Ray Hudson, then the D.C. United manager, recounted trying to keep Adu away from the spotlight, saying in an interview with "He was a breath of fresh air. He wasn’t the braggadocios type; he was a bit shy if anything. But he had this wonderful personality. He had extreme confidence on the ball, with a real sharp ability. His first touch, control was extremely good. He didn’t particularly elaborate in the days that I saw him. It wasn’t like you were watching the new Messi. It wasn’t like he would slalom through two or three players. He didn’t try that."

  Adu himself later recalled the fame in an interview with : "The dream was always to become a professional soccer player. I achieved it so young, I was living the dream, I loved it… it was an amazing time."

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  What came next

  It all steadily went wrong from there. Adu's stats in his first MLS season make for agreeable reading; five goals and three assists at 15 is nothing to sniff at.

  But then the European move happened, a move to Benfica initially, and with it came the fall from grace. Adu later admitted that he never put the work in he needed to, and a child prodigy turned from the next American great into a warning as to how badly it can all go when a player is given so much, so young.

  Adu ultimately played for 15 clubs and made 17 appearances for the U.S. national team. He will always be remembered as one of the biggest "what-ifs" in American soccer history.

  Adu's story also often serves a one of caution for those in similar positions who have followed. Cavan Sullivan appears to be up next. The Philadelphia Union academy product has already broken Adu's record for the youngest MLS debutant, and is bound for Manchester City in three years. The next next Pele might already be here. He'd do well to learn from the lessons of the previous one – 20-plus years since his debut.