— Freddy Adu, the former U.S. youth soccer phenomenon who recently joined the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the North American Soccer League, did not travel with the Rowdies for Saturday’s game at the Carolina RailHawks.

Adu was not among the 18 Rowdies who arrived at WakeMed Soccer Park with the team as part of its game day roster.

According to a Rowdies spokesperson, Adu suffered a lower-leg injury during training earlier this week. The club decided late Thursday that he wouldn't fly to North Carolina with the team on Friday.

BREAKING: Freddy Adu did not travel with @TampaBayRowdies to NC and will not play tonight v. @RailHawksFC — Neil Morris (@ByNeilMorris) August 1, 2015

Suspicions arose several days ago about Adu’s status after his image disappeared from online advertisements promoting the game's match. Images coupling Adu with RailHawks’ leading scorer Nacho Novo suddenly changed to display Novo alongside former RailHawk Brian Shriver, now a member of the Rowdies.

The RailHawks and Rowdies are currently separated by one point in the NASL regular season standings. The winner of Saturday’s game in Cary could catapult atop the league table depending on other NASL outcomes this weekend.

The RailHawks and Rowdies kick off at 7:30 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park.