American soccer fans, usually a step behind, thought they had a golden ticket.

When Adu signed with Major League Soccer at the age of 14, the hype was palpable. Popularity of soccer had been growing in the United States and for American die-hards, this was the next step toward the game gaining mainstream credibility in this country.

As has become something of the norm with American soccer over the past decade though, hype turned quickly into disappointment. Adu was able to show some skill, but now he was playing against men over twice his age and in their prime. At a svelt 5′ 8”, Adu was physically overmatched by the professional players he battled every night.

After two years in Washington, D.C., the luster seemed to have worn off. Adu was traded to Real Salt Lake and was soon just another player in Major League Soccer. The promise of early national team dominance seemed to have gone away.

Now 21 years old it seemed until recently that Adu was not only forgotten by the easily-distracted American sports fan, but also by the US National Team. Until this year’s Gold Cup.

In the semifinal, it was Adu’s energy and the skill of his early long-ball that led to the game-winning goal vs. Panama.

In the final game on Saturday at the Rose Bowl, Adu showed that while he may not be the next Pele, he can still be a productive player.

No longer is Adu easily nudged off the ball with physicality. Adu’s strength showed Saturday as he battled a physical Mexico defense. When purposefully kicked in the head by a Mexican defender, Adu got up and simply shook it off. In a sport where players need stretchers and magic spray to make them better, the 21 year-old Adu’s toughness is what American fans like to see.

Despite not playing a full game in the Gold Cup, Adu was called on to start and play the over 85 minutes. Prior, less physically and mentally strong iterations of Adu would have never allowed for this long a stint.

While the rest of the United States team saw the game crumble around them, Adu kept hustling and demanding two Mexican defenders from the wing. The Americans failed to take advantage of the Mexican focus on Adu, but on a team that needs pressure taken off Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, Adu’s emergence bodes well.

By the end of the game, the United States was embarrassed by a stronger, faster, more talented Mexican squad. Mexico might be one of the most fun teams to watch if it wasn’t for the stereotypical CONCACAF antics they displayed.  Adu may have looked solid, but the rest of his team definitely did not.

Now if the Americans could get some better defenders on their roster, they might be able to take a next step. For now, despite Adu’s success, the US team continues to regress, their defenders, along with defensive midfielders like Jermaine Jones, looking like they may be better suited wearing clown shoes rather than soccer cleats. Are there not better defenders than this in the entirety of this country? Where is Alexi Lalas when you need him?