Freddy Adu Nearing Exit at Benfica

Almost two years ago to this day, one-time U.S. teenage sensation Freddy Adu swapped his Real Salt Lake colors for a high-profile transfer to Portuguese giants Benfica. In the summer of 2007, the move seemed like a perfect spot for the much ballyhooed midfielder, who made his MLS debut with much media fanfare at 14 years old for D.C. United.

Little did most observers at the time realize this marriage was probably doomed from the start. Monday it appears its only a formality before divorce papers are filed, with Goal.com reporting that Adu was told by Benfica coach Jorge Jesus he isn't needed at the club. In response, Adu says he wants to make a move to a club in the Dutch Eredivisie.

To call Adu's stint at Benfica a disaster might be an understatement. He only played 11 times for the club, scoring twice. Last season he was loaned out to Ligue 1's AS Monaco, but only made nine appearances with the French club.

Needless to say, less than 12 full months before the 2010 World Cup, Adu needs to find a club that will give him regular playing time if he's got even the slightest chance of cracking U.S. coach Bob Bradley's 23-man squad. Oddly enough, Adu had a chance to impress Bradley at last month's CONCACAF Gold Cup, but instead opted to return to Portugal and train with Benfica after just two matches.

Adu appears to have his heart set on a move to the Netherlands. If a club can come up with a transfer fee to Benfica, which certainly would want to recoup some of the $2 million it paid for him, which when you consider the market is pretty cheap for a player with his upside.

Right now, Adu appears to be saying the right things, too:

"The Eredivisie is the perfect league to kick-start your international career if you're a young foreign player. It's not like I'm only interested in joining a big team such as Ajax or Feyenoord. I'd be more than happy to join a smaller team like Groningen or NAC. I'm not that picky at the moment. I'm happy as long as I can play first team football. I'm surplus to requirements, so I don't expect Benfica to cause any trouble if a club is interested in signing me. I just don't want to warm the bench over here."

One thing to consider is that for a long time, especially in the 1990s and into the early part of this decade, Holland was a bit of a production line for players into the top European leagues. As of late, the Eredivisie seems to have lost a little of its mojo, with Ajax struggling and PSV losing some of its post-Guus Hiddink luster.

And for every Ruud van Nistelrooy who moves to another league and thrives there seems to be as many Mateja Kezmans, who flop mightily.

Granted, this isn't exactly a worry for Adu at the moment. He needs games, regardless of whether his potential new club is in the Champions League or not. Even with some of its lost luster, the Eredivisie would still advance Adu's level as a player and probably teach him some new things.

Another question for Adu moving forward to consider is what exactly his best position is on the field? Is he a play-making midfielder or a withdrawn striker? And at his generously listed 5-foot-8 stature, can he make a major impact as he rounds into adulthood? A season of first-team play would help find an answer to both of those queries.

At only 20 years old, Adu still has plenty of time to revive his career and make an impact. However it seems a lot more likely that his impact on the international stage may not come until 2014, since he and Bradley don't seem to be on the same page in terms of the U.S. National Team.

There remains the chance, though, should Adu find a home in Holland or elsewhere and he rounds himself into game form he could still be a weapon in the U.S. 2010 squad in South Africa. Maybe the third time will be the charm, because another transfer to a club that doesn't play him, will severely neuter what was once a very promising career.