Top Stories

Altidore scores again for AZ

JozyAltidoreRed (ISIPhotos.com)

Jozy Altidore has his starting job back and he isn't about to give it up.

Just three days after assisting on Clint Dempsey's game-winning goal in the USA's historic 1-0 victory against Italy, Altidore scored for Dutch club AZ yet again. He notched his tenth league goal and 14th goal in all competitions to lead Alkmaar to a a 3-1 victory over Heracles Almemo.

Here is Altidore's latest goal:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydHOuD2dmuY]

Comments

  1. It’s exciting to see the tactical part of his game develop.

    I’m predicting that when Donovan returns to the lineup we’ll be scoring at least two goals a game.

    One from Deuce being Deuce, and One from LD bouncing balls off of Jozy into the net.

    Reply
  2. There’s no need to watch this goal a bunch of times in slow motion. That was a very quick control, turn and shoot goal. That takes skill and who cares if the ball is gently placed in front and always rolls on the grass just so etc etc. Results in the forms of goals, assists are what matter.

    Reply
  3. Oh, I never said I didn’t mean to toot my own horn! And I invite your mockery if he stalls out at fifteen. Meanwhile, I’m prepared to declare victory once he reaches 20.

    Reply
  4. Ain’t that the truth! Tell you what…. a year ago I’d bet he continues that run straight into goal…. now, slows down, lets the Defense go by, cuts slightly tucking himself into that little seam giving the passer a perfect alley to slot the pass. Dutch league is a great place for coaching/grasping/being held accountable to the little things like that in a flowing, moving offense. All that you mention breed confidence, confidence makes you want the ball, wanting it makes you work for it and find those little gaps. As CroCajun said, would be a great place/would love to see Shea find a similar situation for himself to develop in that league.

    Reply
  5. I never said he was lazy, but the great players have great training habits and use training to master every aspect of the game on and off the ball. Training is a skill like any other and it takes time to learn how to train properly. European players generally train longer hours from younger ages than U.S. players and many U.S. players have noted the difference as well as the adjustment period involved. Do I know for a fact that Jozy needs to work on his training habits, no, but it certainly wouldn’t be surprising for a young American. Add that to Verbeek’s statement about his lack of progress despite obvious progress ON the field, I suspect he is referring at least partially to Jozy’s training habits. Jozy has also had a couple issues with lateness and missed training sessions. All together, it certainly SEEMS as if his training habits need improvement.

    Reply
  6. I’m curious as to what TomG means by training habits.

    Hull was a long time ago and when Verbeek sat Jozy he made no reference to the exact reasons why and we are unlikely to ever know them.

    Mr. G hinting that Jozy is being lazy in training is taking way too big a leap.

    If you read the interview with Earnie Stewart about signing Jozy he makes it clear that Jozy, in their view, had almost no “soocer training” (my quotes) of any kind and their plan was to spend this season training him in the finer points of being a complete soccer player. If you know anything about Earnie Stewart, one of my all time favorite US players, he might tolerate ignorance or a lack of soccer sophistication but I really don’t see him or Verbeek tolerating laziness per se.

    I think a lot of Jozy’s critics would be happier if ran around like a chicken with his head cut off because at least it would LOOK like he was at doing something, no matter how unproductive it might be. But I doubt that would help him gain any more tactical and technical sophistication than he has now.

    The kind of of sophistication and intelligence Stewart is trying to develop in Jozy is about a more than just running that much faster and harder.

    Jozy might have been thick, dense, stupid and obstuse but I doubt he was “lazy”.

    Reply
  7. He is now another poster child (see Holden, S, donovan, L.) for what having a good situation ( good coach who believes in you, good teammates, defined role, stable contract situation) can do for a Yank Abroad.

    Reply
  8. If you think about it,the play developed just like it did for the Dempsey goal against Italy except this time Dempsey wasn’t in position and Jozy took it himself.

    Nice goal.

    Reply
  9. I agree.

    While early in his career criticisms of his touch may have been valid, they are now one of the strengths of his game. He is now quietly one of the more technically gifted players in our pool. His dribbling, passing, and decision making have improved a lot.

    The holes in his game now are more mental than physical. Off the ball runs, runs that distract defenders for other players, and that tenacity and determination to win headers at all costs.

    If he ever develops a chip on his shoulder like Dempsey has and starts using his big frame with a nasty streak…look out. He’ll be unstoppable.

    Reply
  10. You can argue about the quality of his touch all you want (looked great to me), but the run he made to space in order to receive the pass was gorgeous.

    Reply
  11. i think its really a fan thing. many clubs in Europe seem to be very different towards their star player when he is American. I know I’ve seen AZ fans at matches I’ve watched with posters of Jozy standing in front of the US flag and it says Born In The USA on it, and other things like that. Everton fans have often chanted USA when LD plays well, and Fulham do it with Dempsey too. Even in Italy, Chievo fans call Bradley “The American General.”

    I really think fans just like to emphasize the idea of their American star, cause it really is rare, even today. to many fans over there it is probably a new thing to have one of their best players be American. it is obviously more common now than ever, but not for a lot of fans i would think

    Reply
  12. So awesome to see Jozy becoming exactly what everyone has been waiting for an exceptional striker. Couple this with Dempsey’s outstanding form, and hopefully no more injuries, the USMNT is going to go into WC qualifying in top form. VIVA USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  13. many coaches have commented on his energy in training, so he just needs to be more consistent over his career. i think it was his Hull manager that called him out outright, and his coach at AZ just did the same in a more subtle way. i believe he has silenced his coach since though; 1 start- 2 goals, an assist against Italy in midweek, and a start and a goal in the next match. i guess he just needs a little motivation

    keep on rollin Jozy

    Reply
  14. after another viewing, you are exactly correct. his touches are subtle but that really was a skillful goal. his first touch is much more difficult than it looks as he is changing direction, and the defender closes his down very quickly and he does well not to lose the ball. also not an easy finish across the body. his skill has really improved in this league

    what i really have enjoyed seeing in Jozy this season is the little off the ball stuff he has really worked on while in Holland. his runs are purposeful and he makes the unseen runs that open space for teammates, something he used to never do. his hold up play has obviously increased as well

    i think in years to come we will look at this season as the one where Jozy really got it together and became and all around center forward

    Reply
  15. 10 league goals, 4 EL goals.

    11 league matches to go.

    AZ are in semi-finals for the Dutch Cup and in the round of 32 still for EL i believe.

    Jozy could score 20 if not up to 25 goals in all competition come summer.

    Reply
  16. Agree. I believe that his goal this weekend and one from his brace last weekend were similar in kind – hold off the defender, create a little space, turn and shoot with accuracy. Definitely seems to be more comfortable with hold up play and control, touches in the box.

    Great to see how he is improving his play with AZ.

    Cheers

    Reply
  17. I particularly love how he pushes the defender away and uses his momentum to bounce off the opposite direction, creating space while spinning and maintaining control of the ball at the same time. His turn moves and his touch are getting so good, when you combine them with his natural strength and that insanely hard shot, you have a nearly unstoppable move there. Now it’s a matter of becoming better at running off the ball, improving tactical awareness and training habits. If he can refine those aspects, he’ll be the total package.

    Reply
  18. I disagree. I thought his touch was absolutely awesome on this play. His first touch deadens the ball perfectly despite the fact that he’s spinning around at the time, his second touch is not only a touch but also a shield to ward off the oncoming defender, yet he somehow manages to push away the man with his leg and simultaneously nudge the ball into space for the shot. There is zero wasted motion, zero ball spray, no extra steps have to be taken, and the ball is placed exactly where it should be despite spinning and having a defender draped all over him. His first touch was excellent but his second was sublime. This is a simple looking play that is actually quite skillful and complex.

    Reply
  19. I wonder if this is some kind of joke or they /jozy really thinks that highly of the boss.

    Do any other players get a ‘special song’ when they score for AZ, or any other dutch team for that matter?

    It seems very NBA ish to me.

    Reply
  20. Jozy is right where he should be at this point in his career to be a damn fine striker. It’s a crazy game where subtle changes can make a huge difference. Seems shots he was pulling wide or clubbing over the bar 2 years ago, he is tucking inside frame quite smartly as of late. Probably more importantly he is finding and putting himself in more dangerous positions off the ball. Not one bit of let up JA, ur rolling now!

    Reply
  21. i totally agree. with his size he has an advantage over defenders. as long as he keeps pressing when the other team has possession, which he did well against italy, he’s a well-rounded forward. his touch on this goal wasn’t so great but the assist to dempsey was just right. if he becomes more consistent with his touch…

    Reply
  22. Should I say it…?

    Yes

    11 more to go. Ten league games, still in Europa and the Dutch Cup, if I’m not mistaken. Score in bunches Jozy!

    Reply
  23. Totally irrelevant- But Rumor is New York’s trialists barklage, Ruthven, and Angulo have all signed- possibly Chigardze as well. Ruthven claimed signed contract on twitter where as barkalge’s agent (I think) claimed contract as well.

    Reply
  24. A very Van Nistelrooy-like goal! i like it! those kind of goals are his bread and butter.. Good to see his passing and ball control also improving.

    Reply
  25. I know some people don’t like Altidore (“Lazy” and all that), but he’s doing what a center forward should do. Moved well off the ball into space, received the ball with his back to goal, held off his defender, turned, and slotted the ball home nicely. Yes, his first touch could have been cleaner, but he is showing good improvement.

    Reply

Leave a Comment