WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An awe-struck 14-year-old Freddy Adu said Saturday he harnessed the support of the fans to overcome first-game jitters during his Major League Soccer debut in front of a nationally televised audience.

Adu’s supporters threw confetti and cheered when the baby-faced, fan-anointed soccer player entered as a substitute 61 minutes into the game with D.C. United leading the defending champion San Jose Earthquakes 2-1.

The 5-8, 140-pound soccer forward, driven to the game by his uncle, showed little sign of succumbing to the pressure, flashing his gleaming smile and offering adoring fans a glimpse of the speed and skillful ball handing that have followed him.

The 24,603 fans in attendance stood most of the second half, chanting “Freddy, Freddy” with one fan holding a sign urging the soccer player to “Just Adu It.”

“I was so anxious to get into the game,” Adu said. “The first game is not going to be easy, and I didn’t expect it to be. I wouldn’t change anything about today. I’m glad I had this experience.”

The season opener for D.C. United and MLS was sold out, and the game was nationally televised, both rarities for professional soccer in the United States.

United defeated the Earthquakes 2-1.

Minutes before his debut, United head coach Peter Nowak, who began his pro career in Poland at 15, told Adu to play in the middle of field to get more ball touches and most importantly, to enjoy himself.

“He was very nervous; I don’t know why, but he was really nervous before he even got the first pass,” Nowak said. “But he did all right. For his first time he did very well.”

The soccer phenomenon was held to a few touches during his 30 minutes of play.

During one drive, Adu was knocked to the ground in the area by Earthquakes defender Jeff Agoos, drawing a rash of boos from the crowd.

A dismayed Adu heaved his arms in the air but referee Kevin Stott had no intention of awarding penalty.

Adu, who lives with his mother in suburban Washington, is already the highest paid player in professional U.S. soccer, collecting an annual salary of $500,000 even though he’s about half the age of many of the league’s veterans.

While his debut in a United jersey makes him the youngest professional player in modern American team sports history in more than 100 years, MLS has been careful not to expect too much too soon.

But his much-hyped arrival is a marketing bonanza for the league.

MLS commissioner Don Garber said “Freddy mania” could be the defining moment for a nine-year old league that has struggled to gain notoriety in mainstream America.

“There has been a tremendous amount of excitement, more than we expected when we signed Adu,” Garber said before the game.

“Hopefully, he’ll deliver on the field and we’ll be able to have that single name player, that Michael (Jordan), Tiger (Woods.)”

Adu, who left Ghana in 1997 and became a U.S. citizen last year, has been coveted by teams on both sides of the Atlantic.

He has made no secret of the fact that he would eventually like to take his game to one of the world’s top leagues, playing in either England or Spain.