Freddy Adu hopes to make most of second chance

Published May. 30, 2011 8:52 p.m. ET

foxsports

Freddy Adu is hoping to make the most of his second chance with the U.S. national soccer team.

The one-time phenom turns 22 on Thursday. He was playing in the second division in Turkey when he got the call to rejoin the Americans' roster for the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Adu hasn't played for the U.S. since 2009. He had the good sense to be uncomfortable with the attention he received after the team's workout Monday. Coach Bob Bradley says everyone would be better off without it, even Adu.

Adu, surprised to get the chance, says he takes responsibility for the immaturity that stalled his progress. Bradley wants to see if regular playing time and some time away have refined the skills he has always felt could help the U.S.