Agudelo's brilliance comes with pressure

With a flick of his right foot, Juan Agudelo's life changed in a split second on Wednesday, instantly lumbering him with the tag that has been a poisoned chalice for many – American soccer's "Next Big Thing."

Agudelo, the 17-year-old New York Red Bulls forward, made a dream debut for the United States, scoring the winning goal against South Africa in Cape Town with five minutes left and cementing his place as the youngest scorer in men's national-team history.

And though he doesn't turn 18 until Tuesday, things are going to be somewhat different from now on for Agudelo. One night, one moment and one piece of skill and composure in the South African penalty area means that expectations and scrutiny will be a constant companion for the foreseeable future.

American soccer has waited long for its big star, which only intensifies the desire for the "anointed one" to arrive. That is why such pressure is placed upon a player who has made only two starts for the Red Bulls and played just 14 minutes during the Major League Soccer regular season.

Riches and recognition await the player who can fulfill the destiny of becoming a major international star. Agudelo has promise – plenty of it – but there are many short-term goals to be chased before such lofty aspirations can even be considered.

[Photos: Team USA's new star]

"It is a pretty cool story," former national team star Alexi Lalas told ESPN. "We are talking about maturing and growing up … We also have to be mature in the way that we treat a young player like this.

"It is a wonderful moment for him, and hopefully it leads to greater things. But we have seen young players come through the hype machine … and we are all guilty of it over here – we get going, saying, 'This is the greatest thing since sliced bread.' He still has a long way to go."

The look of wonder on Agudelo's face when he struck the ball into the South Africa goal with the outside of his right foot was a joy to behold. Suddenly, everyone wants to know about this kid, a sudden clamor for information about a teenager who earlier this week had fewer than 200 followers on his Twitter account.

Agudelo was born in Colombia, and moved to New York with his parents at the age of 8. He was picked up by the Red Bulls Academy, and was allowed to develop under the radar until breaking through into the first-team squad this season.

In an MLS playoff defeat to the San Jose Earthquakes earlier this month, Agudelo was his team's best player, setting up Juan Pablo Angel with a beautiful chip across the penalty area and showing a calm assurance that raised eyebrows.

That display was a big part of the reason behind his call-up by national team coach Bob Bradley for Wednesday's friendly in South Africa, yet no one expected such a remarkable debut.

Least of all Agudelo himself.

"I am speechless," he said. "I don't know what to say, as soon as I saw the ball go in I didn't believe it. I thought I was going to get called back on an offside or something. So many people are here watching me, and I score the goal. It is amazing feeling."

Much speculation will inevitably follow. About where Agudelo will end up – European teams are certain to have him on their radar now, and about his best career path. A few more years in MLS would not be a bad thing.

[Related: Hype starts to build around U.S. teen]

Despite his physicality and strength, the most impressive aspect of Agudelo's game is his soccer smarts, and the way he reads the play and reacts to it. That kind of confidence was on display in the Red Bulls' season finale when he pointed Angel, the team's most senior player and a 17-year international veteran, into the position he wanted.

New York has the financial backing to be able to rebuff lucrative European approaches, and the league itself knows there is little to be gained from parting ways with one of its most promising talents.

With still so much unknown about Agudelo, the real concern is that the inevitable scrutiny and expectation will prove to be too much.

Consider the case of Jozy Altidore, who also wears number 17. Altidore also started out with the Red Bulls and hit the headlines by scoring in big games, such as David Beckham's first visit to New York with the Los Angeles Galaxy and his first start for the national team against Mexico.

Altidore started all four games for the national team at the World Cup, makes a ton of money as a professional in Spain and has become a reasonably recognizable figure among the American sports public.

Yet some are quick to deride Altidore – only 21 – as a bust, given his struggles with Hull in the English Premier League last season and his failure to hold down a permanent starting spot with Spanish club team Villareal.

Such is the weight of expectation that Agudelo will face.

Wednesday was the happiest day of his life, but it also sparked a new chapter in a soccer career that will now be firmly in the spotlight.