FC Dallas 2 - 2 Union
Final
  for this game

Adu set for debut as Philadelphia hosts Dallas

Aug 12, 2011 - 8:57 PM Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Freddy Adu, signed on a free transfer from Portugal's Benfica on Friday, could make his debut for the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night against FC Dallas at PPL Park.

Adu made his first appearance in Major League Soccer as a 14-year-old in 2004, but after three years with D.C. United and a short stint with Real Salt Lake, the American prodigy vanished in Europe.

Signed by Benfica in 2007, the U.S. national team midfielder spent most of his time on loan with various clubs on the continent, but it was hardly a European vacation.

Adu vanished from the U.S. radar until this summer, when former U.S. coach Bob Bradley named him to the CONCACAF Gold Cup roster. A couple good performances, and Adu is back with former United coach Peter Nowak in Philadelphia.

Although Philadelphia is a long way from Portugal's top flight, it's a step in the right direction for Adu following his stint in Turkey's second division on loan.

And reunited with Nowak, there's every reason he might start showing the large amount of talent that's been evident since a young age.

The Union (8-5-9) hope Adu can spark an offense that has produced 27 goals all season, a number that ranks just 12th out of 18 teams. Although not a direct replacement for departed Carlos Ruiz, still the team leader in goals with six, Adu will be expected to duplicate some of those numbers.

Philadelphia led the Eastern Conference earlier this season, and sits just one point behind the first-place Columbus Crew. Adu helped United win the MLS Cup in his first season in D.C., and could help prove the Union are capable of the same heights with a win against Dallas.

FC Dallas (12-6-6) has the second-best mark in MLS, six points behind the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Western Conference. With 2010 MVP David Ferreira out due to injury, another possible MVP candidate has emerged in Brek Shea.

Shea, 21, has nine goals and an assist this season, and played well Wednesday for the U.S. in a 1-1 draw against Mexico. Shea provided a spark off the bench in Jurgen Klinsmann's debut, setting up the lone goal.

Just over a year ago, Shea made his U.S. debut at PPL Park, home of the Union, and did not play well. He gets a shot at redemption, of sorts, this weekend - and has a chance to steal the spotlight from Adu.

Shea scored in a 2-0 win over Philadelphia in May, but Dallas has to rebound from a 3-1 loss to Los Angeles in its last match.

"The score's 3-1 and I think it's a closer game than that," FC Dallas manager Schellas Hyndman said. "I really do think that."

With both clubs in a battle for position atop their conferences, plus the Adu debut, this weekend's battle in Pennsylvania easily stands as the highlight of the MLS schedule.






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