Freddy Adu had an eventful first half against the New York Red Bulls. MLS provided a helpful thematic score on the YouTube video. He was yellow carded for a bad tackle. He created oodles of chances with one resulting in a goal. He then was sent off before the halfway mark, earning his second yellow for a dive.

The first yellow was good refereeing. You don’t rule on “intent” or resulting injury. He came in from behind and left the ground with both feet. It was late and it was reckless. Had he come with more momentum it would have been a straight red.

The second I don’t think should have been a yellow. What you’re trying to rule out is simulation, where a player intentionally deceives the officials a foul that did not occur was committed. Was Adu trying to pretend he was kicked? Or, did he simply lose his balance dodging a defender who lunged in with his left leg? If it’s debatable it should not be called.

Flashes of brilliance. Flashes of stupidity. Awful luck and failure. The forty-five minutes encapsulated Freddy Adu’s career.