KANSAS CITY - Freddy Adu has found something along the way in his first few years in Major League Soccer.
"I was terrible at defense when I first came into the league, Adu said. "My positioning was off; I didn't tackle hard enough."
Adu said that his defense, especially his tactical awareness, has improved, thanks partly to an encouraging club and coaches.
Adu's attacking skill helped to create the final goal in D.C. United's 3-1 victory against the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday evening at Arrowhead Stadium. In first-half stoppage time, Adu swung in a free kick from the right flank, and Bobby Boswell sliced in to nod it home and give United what became an insurmountable lead.
"We practice it all the time. Hit it hard to the back post but keep it on the frame of the goal," he said.
After two Jaime Moreno scores, the Wizards had struck back to make it a one-goal game. Then Adu's service again gave United some breathing room heading into halftime.
"Bobby made a great run," Adu said of the goal.
After the break, Adu spent much of the game in a more defensive posture on the right side of the United midfield. One reason was that the Wizards were overplaying on Adu's side of the field. Another reason was that United coach Peter Nowak, trying to consolidate the two-goal lead, kept seven players stacked up behind the ball. It was enough apparently to frustrate a potent Wizards attack.
"I felt like I was disciplined enough to be holding my position," Adu said. "Sometimes last year I was drifting into the middle and crowding the middle."
"To me, it's very important that the guys work as a unit together," Nowak said about the defensive philosophy. "Starting with our forwards, going through the midfield all the way through to the back line."
Adu credits Nowak, Jaime Moreno and Christian Gomez for helping make the transition to a better defensive midfielder this year.
"Even if I'm not getting the ball, just be patient and stay out wide," Adu said.
Thomas Foote is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
