CHICAGO - Sixteen-year-old striker Freddy Adu was in Chicago but did not dress for D.C. United's first leg match of the Eastern Conference Semifinals Series against the Fire on Friday night, after serving what the team announced as a one-game suspension.
"He was suspended for tonight's game for conduct detrimental to the team," said Doug Hicks, United's vice president of communications. "It is an internal issue and we are dealing with it within the club."
The team declined to elaborate any further, but The Washington Post on Friday reported Adu was suspended after he did not apologize to his teammates for comments he made earlier in the week about playing time.
"The suspension was done in full support of the club," Hicks said. "We will re-address the situation going forward."
United head coach Peter Nowak offered no other details.
"The club will issue a statement either today or tomorrow. For me, the case is closed," said Nowak.
When Nowak was asked how he felt about Adu's comments that the young striker was unsettled, he responded, "The most important thing is how my players feel, that is what I care about the most."
How do United's players feel?
"You'll have to ask them," said Nowak, before heading back into United's locker room.
Ivaldo Basso is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
