‘We want Freddy!’

But loss drops team to 0-3 for preseason

Freddy Adu made his Lights FC debut on Saturday, assisting on a goal in a 4-2 loss to D.C. United.

The announced crowd of 7,158 at Cashman Field gave former American soccer prodigy Freddy Adu a large ovation when he made his Lights debut on Saturday.

The fans cheered even louder when he helped the team score .

Adu recorded an assist on Miguel Garduno’s 86th minute goal in the Lights’ preseason game against Major League Soccer’s D.C. United and almost had a goal of his own in the 89th minute but shot high. Adu seemed plenty motivated playing against his former team and made an offensive impact, but the Lights lost 4-2 to close out their three-game home preseason schedule.

Adu was once a star for United after being taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft when he was 14-years-old. After three seasons, 87 appearances and 11 goals with D.C. though, Adu left and became a career journeyman, winding up with the Lights on a trial in an attempt to keep his career afloat.

Fans seemed excited in his Lights FC debut and began chanting “We want Freddy!” after Lights striker Juan Jose Calderon scored in the 54th minute to cut the team’s deficit to 2-1. Adu came in eight minutes later and almost helped the team pull even, drawing a penalty just outside the box that set Calderon up for a free kick.

Calderon shot wide and Ian Harkes later increased United’s lead back to two. Adu’s pass to Garduno helped the Lights draw within one again late, and he fired high on a potential equalizer moments later. D.C.’s Luciano Acosta then scored a goal in extra time to seal the MLS club’s victory.

The loss finished off the Lights three-game run of playing MLS teams at Cashman Field. The club drew an average of 7,865 fans for the three games but struggled to compete, losing 9-4 to the Montreal Impact, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and D.C. United on aggregate.

The Lights still have time to improve before their March 17 regular-season opener at Fresno FC, and are expected to scrimmage at fellow USL side Orange County SC on March 9 as a final dress rehearsal.

Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco Former Major League Soccer standout Freddy Adu made his Lights FC debut Saturday against D.C. United, his former team. He set up one goal, and, at right, reacts after missing a shot in the second half.