Juan Agudelo

This Saturday, the US Men’s National soccer team takes on the defending World Cup champions, Spain, on their home turf in Foxboro, MA. This is a rematch of the stunning upset that the US came away with two years ago in South Africa, during the of the Confederations Cup´s semi-finals. At that time, Spain had not lost for 35 consecutive games, and unfortunately for them, could not make it 36, as the US defeated them 2-0.

Fast-forward to today. Spanish soccer is hotter than ever. With Spain winning the World Cup last Summer and Barcelona FC winning the Champions League last weekend, Spanish soccer is at it’s highest level. That’s why it is important for the US to perform well this Saturday, because the question remains, who will step up against this mighty team? We have seen Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey perform at high levels when it matters most, but it’s important to remember that they are nearing 30 years of age and their best soccer may be behind them. Could the young star that the US is in desperate need of be Juan Agudelo?

Juan Agudelo is only 18 years old and is currently playing for the New York Red Bulls alongside internationally recognized stars, Rafael Marquez and Thierry Henry. Agudelo was actually born in Colombia, but moved with his family to the New York area when he was just eight years old. Since a young age, he has been recognized as a prodigy on the pitch, but buyer beware, some feel that he might be over-hyped. Remember Freddy Adu? Though Adu just turned 22, eight years ago he was pegged as a future American soccer superstar. Like Agudelo, when Adu was eight years old, his family moved from Ghana to the United States. He eventually became the youngest player to play and score a goal in a Major League Soccer game. Since then, there have only been a few bright spots in his professional career.

Juan Agudelo is out to prove that he will not be the next Freddy Adu. Bob Bradley has praised him for having a good attitude and for being confident. The Red Bulls have decided to bring him along slowly to make sure that he develops properly. He has a strong relationship with his family. The potential for greatness is there.

Agudelo can define Americans´ perception towards soccer in this country. Americans love stars, even in sports that aren´t known as the Big 4 (NFL, NBA, MLB & MLB); people watch Tiger Woods golf in record numbers, because of his star power; people watch Floyd Mayweather fight because of how skilled he is in the ring; and people watched Lance Armstrong win Tour de France titles because of his courage. America needs Juan Agudelo to be successful. Add to the fact that he is Latin American as well, and you have a recipe for marketing success with US Soccer.