“He’s confident. He knows what he’s good at and he has people around him to help him.”
—U.S. soccer star Landon Donovan

“I’ve tried to explain to Freddy that there’s a lot of good but also a lot of bad that can go along with the position he’s in.”
—U.S. track star Michael Johnson

“When he’s at his best, he is the best.”
—Childhood friend Nick Scrivens

“I have never seen a kid at such a young age with this much talent. He’s like a chess player who thinks two moves ahead.”
—Youth soccer coach Jim Escobar

“Simply, he’s a great, talented player, with great physical tools and wonderful technical ability.”
—European soccer executive Piero Ausilio

“His ability on the ball is incredible. He’s a great kid, too.”
—MLS veteran Earnie Stewart

“He’s so passionate about the game, and he thrives on a challenge.”
—U.S. soccer coach John Ellinger

“I see him do things I haven’t seen the pros do.”
—Ellinger

“He hits the ball well with both feet. He has very good speed and he’s obviously an aggressive attacker.”
—U.S. soccer coach Bruce Arena

“It’s hard to think of another U.S. player who has been this exciting this young. He can make the ball do whatever he wants.”
—Soccer America magazine’s Mike Woitalla

“His left foot is fantastic. It’s like Mozart. God gave Freddy the gift to play soccer. If he is prepared mentally and physically, nobody will stop him.”
—Pele

“He has an unflinching confidence with the ball. Speed kills, and if you give him any room, he’ll break down your defenders.”
—Fire coach Dave Sarachan

“A blind man on a galloping horse can see his talent. He’s a little Faberge egg.”
—Former United coach Ray Hudson

“He’s awesome. He’s a cool kid, too, always smiling, always positive.’
—Former U.S. teammate Corey Ashe

“Freddy has captured the attention of the U.S. media like no other player.”
—Thunder GM Jim Froslid

“In every other form of art—music, dance, painting—history throws up a phenomenon. He may be one of them.”
—Liverpool director of youth recruitment Barry Whitbread

“He is the best young player in the world right now; not in the United States, in the world.”
—MLS deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis

“People talk about having ‘it,’ whatever ‘it’ is. He has it.”
—IMG associate director of mental conditioning Trevor Mowad

“He’s the first guy soccer’s had in America that transcends the game. He’s kind of like Tiger Woods.”
—United vice president Doug Hicks

“He has a remarkable ability to deal with all the attention and deal with it gracefully.”
—United CEO Kevin Payne