all the while covered in countless ping pong ball-like sensors -- Edu was adding to the FIFA Soccer '09 game that will be developed in 18 languages and distributed in 37 countries this October.
But as impressive as those numbers are, it was the magnitude of the motion-capture names that came before him that awed Edu. He was following in the large footsteps of Ronaldinho, Wayne Rooney, Miroslav Klose and Thierry Henry -- not a bad list for an up-and-coming American with big soccer dreams.
"I feel honored," said Edu. "Those players are all world-class players, so to have my name thrown in there is unreal. It's a huge accomplishment."
On a few occasions the rising MLS star became mesmerized by the real-time rendering of himself on the giant projection screen, something relatively new in the EA Sports motion capture studio.
"It's just fun being out there playing with the ball and you can see yourself on the screen and how your character is going to move in the game," he said. "You try to add a little bit here, try to add your own personality.
"Me and my brother always used to play FIFA and we'd create our own player in the game. So now to actually be in the game and have my moves in the game, it's crazy."
Edu gave a big thumbs up to his character's looks on screen but reserved judgment on his character's rating, which hasn't been finalized. "It better be at least 70," he joked.
He also had a chance to demo the game with its producers and check out some of the gameplay improvements and new features.
Focus areas for the FIFA team this time around included fundamentals like goalkeeper intelligence and physical play, while the 'Be A Pro' mode has been supersized and Custom Team Tactics is a highly-anticipated innovation. It will enable gamers to become the coach with the tools to set the tactics and make your team play the way you want them to perform.
"Every year the game has gotten better and I think this new edition is another step forward," Edu said, playing with Toronto FC against the Chicago Fire.
"Getting Edu into our studio will enable us to make his movements in the game true-to-life," said game producer Gary Paterson. "Our consumers want an absolutely authentic re-creation of the game and this enables us to do it."
Edu has long been a gamer, getting hooked on early versions of Madden and FIFA on the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. The Playstation 3 is now his platform of choice and he claims to be the undisputed FIFA champion at Toronto FC.
"It's me, hands down," he said.
And who's a close second? "I'd say Rohan Ricketts, but he's not that close; he's just second.
"We take it on the road and try to play every chance we get. It gets competitive. We have some FIFA tournaments every now and then. Guys lose a lot of money to me."
Edu plays often with German side Werder Bremen because he likes Brazilian midfielder Diego, but he'll switch it up a lot and use TFC, of course. He also likes a challenge.
"I change it up," he says. "Barcelona, when you play with them it's too easy because they have such good players, so I try not to choose them too often."
EA Sports is hoping that by choosing Edu they are going to continue to make inroads into the ever-expanding North American soccer market. FIFA's marketing manager Clive Gorman said North America is the No. 2 territory globally for FIFA and there's not much between them and the U.K.
In terms of their sports titles, FIFA is battling for that No. 2 spot behind the John Madden NFL game in North America.
"We've seen, on average, 30-35 percent growth per year to the point where it's undeniable: soccer has huge momentum," Gorman said. "Working with Mo (Edu) is perfect because not only does he have the appeal for guys in Toronto, we also get to associate ourselves with a U.S. national team player."
Putting MLS stars on the cover is also an important part of the marketing package, and Edu's friend, Jozy Altidore, was on the '08 game in North America. The former Red Bull New York star was recently transferred to Spanish side Villarreal for an American-record fee of $10 million.
Perhaps there's a little EA karma at work there?
"Yeah," Edu said with a laugh. "You've seen what's happened with him. So hopefully my career goes in the same direction one day. If I continue to grow and progress, you never know what's going to happen."
Marc Weber covers the Vancouver Whitecaps for the Province Newspaper. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
