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| Jozy Altidore is back and that's huge for the U.S. (Credits: Mike Russell/MikeRussellfoto.com) |
It's July of 2009. The United States is off in South Africa pulling miracle after miracle in the Confederations Cup. First scoring the necessary three goals against Egypt in the final group match, after embarrassing themselves in the previous two games. Then, of course, they pulled off the stunner of all stunners by beating the Euro champion Spaniards in a game that will always be remembered for Sergio Ramos cocky touch in the box (I'm sure it haunts him in his sleep...or not at all). With a chance to win its first major international title ever, the U.S. burst out to a 2-0 lead against Brazil. The ultimate miracle looked like it was going to happen as the US took that lead into half. However, the Brazilians undressed the Americans in the second half by doing what they do best, playing with scintillating pace, deft touch and disgusting amounts of skill.
While the miracle fell ultimately short, the U.S. had phenomenal momentum going forward in World Cup Qualifying. Though they were led by Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey in their prime, the most pleasing outcome of the Confederations Cup run was the two-headed monster up front: Jozy Alitdore and Charlie Davies. Altidore brought the thunder. He was the physical, ball controlling, strong finish striker. Davies brought the lightning. He was the pace guy, with blazing speed, beautiful ball skills and a nice touch on his finish. With a formidable striker duo at the top, the U.S. was poised to be a legitimate scoring threat; it was time for United States soccer to take the next step. And then the accident happend...
Days after U.S. clinched its sixth straight World Cup appearance, many feared Davies may never walk again. He was only 23, while he even recovered to play professional soccer again, he was never the same. Altidore was hit hard.
At a budding 19 years old, it seemed like Altidore on his own was on the road to stardom, but the Davies accident really affected him. They were boys. They were teammates. They were a emerging tandem and yet it was all gone in the blink of an eye. Altidore struggled to find time at La Liga's Villareal. Then he was loaned to a second tier Spanish side called Xerez and then on to Hull City in the Premiership and then on to a Turkish squad Buraspor. It was a roller coaster ride for a kid in his early twenties and it didn't help that the head coaching reigns were being shifted to Jurgen Klinsmann who didn't give players hall passes because they were favorites under his predecessor Bob Bradley. For Altidore it might have been too much at the time. Playing for three crappy clubs in two years when you're so young can tear at one's confidence and it can sometimes even derail a career, but Jozy would persevere.
Signing with the Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2011, Jozy finally found a home. He scored 20 goals in 52 games in that inaugural campaign, which is big number for a U.S. player playing abroad. But the most important part of it all was that he was playing consistently and playing well. There was no more movement, no more turmoil and yet he still had to prove himself to new US coach Jurgen Klinsmann. In 2012, with Jozy clearly thriving in the Netherlands it seemed like a lock that he would start up front. And yet that once again wasn't so. He played only seven out of 14 games in 2012 and missed out on two of the three signatures wins the U.S. had that year. One was the 5-1 thrashing of Scotland, in which Landon Donovan scored a hat trick and the other was the U.S. first win in Estadio Azteca, 1-0. The lone goal was a Brek Shea to Terrence Boyd (thought of as a possible Altidore replacement in the future) to Michael Orozco Fiscal connection. It was the perfect combination of test pieces for Klinsmann, making some history for the US; Altidore wasn't even on the sidelines. That seemingly fueled the 22-year-old for the next season.
31 goals in 41 games. The most goals in a European season by an American. Dutch league leader in goals. Voted to what is the equivalent of the All-Pro team for the league. Jozy Altidore had arrived in the '12-'13 soccer year and Klinsmann couldn't deny him any longer.
There's always been this caution about Altidore because of Freddy Adu. Young, ultra-skilled star receives so much attention and is donned the "Future of US Soccer" before he flames out because we overhyped him before he fully developed. That's why he made his first appearance at the age 17. I mean you look at him, he's 6-foot-1 and shredded. He's fast. He's skilled. He's got an accurate and hard hitting boot. Even at 17 you were wowed by his combination of strength and size; he's about as LeBron as an American soccer player can get. Even with that caution remained, and with him struggling between '09 and '11, Klinsmann didn't want to fall in love with the idea of him until Altidore rose again. Well the man has risen.
The United States is on top of their CONCACAF group through five games. 10 points and back-to-back wins. Altidore has put his stamp on this group by scoring the first goal in each game. His confidence is soaring; that idea that he finishes everything that comes in way in the box is once again a reality. He's playing with that edge. That fire. That control. All of this could mean enormous things down the line for the United States. For them to have a strong force, controlling the ball in the box and just ripping twine left and right whenever someone hits him with a pass is vital. Vital for progression out of the group. Vital for progression to, dare I say it, the World Cup Semis. Imagine the U.S. in the World Cup Final Four and you'll see Jozy tattooing a beautiful cross into the net just like he did last night.
Jozy's living up to the hype and the USMNT is rolling. Coincidence? I think not.
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