What professional soccer club did Freddy Adu first play for?

Freddy Adu first played professional soccer for D.C. United. The Washington-based Major League Soccer club signed him in 2003, when he was only 14, and he joined its senior team for the 2004 season.

Adu was selected with the first pick of the 2004 MLS SuperDraft after MLS arranged a deal with the Dallas Burn so he could play near his Maryland home. He made his professional debut on April 3, 2004, against the San Jose Earthquakes, becoming the youngest player to appear in an MLS match at the time.

His age and reputation made him one of soccer's most famous teenage prospects. In his first professional season, he appeared in all 30 regular-season games, scored five goals and helped D.C. United win MLS Cup 2004. He scored his first professional goal against the MetroStars on April 17, 2004.

A common mix-up is Benfica, the Portuguese club Adu joined later. He also played for Real Salt Lake, Philadelphia Union and several clubs overseas, but D.C. United was his first professional team.