By Jason MenardFormer soccer wunderkind Freddy Adu signed yesterday with the Philadelphia Union, marking his return to professional soccer on North American soil. And the fact that this story was relegated to afterthought status on noted sports Web site SI.com reveals everything you need to know about the sad state of soccer on this side of the Atlantic.

Six years ago, Adu debuted for the United States’ national team playing an international friendly for the squad against Canada. At the time, Adu was supposed to be the future of North American soccer. The truth is that he is — only not in the way everyone thought that future would play out. Continue reading →