COMMERCE CITY, Colo. -- Freddy Adu has been hyped and heralded since the day he burst onto the soccer scene.
However, extreme talent doesn't impress nearly as much as production.
Adu scored his first goal as a member of the U.S. national team and Jozy Altidore assisted on Kenny Cooper's sliding shot, leading the Americans to a 2-0 win over Guatemala in a World Cup qualifier on a cool Wednesday night.
U.S. coach Bob Bradley has been trying to keep Adu humble and grounded, even with all the notoriety he receives.
"One of the most important things with Freddy is making sure he understands that while it's really nice that a lot is said and written about him that none of it matters when he walks through the door to the national team," Bradley said. "The understanding of how to earn the respect of his teammates by the way he plays, the understanding of how to do things on the field that will help us win -- those things come first."
The Americans improved to 27-1-7 in home qualifiers since May 1985. The win also prevents Guatemala (1-3-2) from advancing out of Group 1.
With a spot in next year's regional finals already assured, the U.S. national team (5-1) went with a largely inexperienced lineup, leaving Landon Donovan and Carlos Bocanegra out.
The youth certainly didn't disappoint as Adu and Altidore stepped up, especially in the second half, when the Americans scored both goals.
Adu, clad in deep red-colored cleats, curled a shot into the left corner on a free kick just outside the penalty box in the 69th minute. A diving Ricardo Jerez didn't have a chance on Adu's well-placed shot.
The play was set up after Altidore was grabbed by Yony Flores as he flew past the Guatemalan defender. Flores was given a yellow card for the hold.
The 19-year-old Adu talked Sacha Kljestan into letting him take the kick.
"We were having a long conversation," Adu said, laughing. "Sacha goes, 'All right, I'm hitting this.' I go, 'From here? You crazy?' He goes, 'All right, if you score I won't talk.'"
Kljestan won't say a word after Adu scored his first goal with the national team.
