For years I have been reading haters who attack Altidore, but those who really know the game recognize his potential. When he was at Hull he was stuck, mostly as a lone striker, on one of the worst teams in EPL history and some people said his lack of production showed that he had no ability. I remember one time he was trapped against the sideline by two defenders, one in front, the other behind. Jozy did a backheel and nutmegged the defender behind him, spun 360 degrees and took his own pass down the field. I’ve watched thousands of soccer games and can’t recall seeing anyone doing that before. I knew then the kid had real talent. Now that talent is showing itself.
Luis Suarez went directly from the Dutch League to Liverpool. He’s not the only top player who got his start in Europe in Holland and then went on to bigger and better things. It’s a good feeder league.
To me he is kind of like Ibrahimovic in that they are both physically imposing target men with good touches. Don’t know if Jozy has Ibra’s flexibility. He’s kind of a poor man’s Ibahimovic.
Time and space example by Altidore. He is improving at combining well with teammates and making his own time and space. Near the box a forward has to win 1 VS 1 battles to earn a few yards or seconds to get a shot/goal. How about that Messi guy?
Hey Pres, I hear you’re doing very well in 3 Bundesliga. Can my pal who plays at Baton Rouge High join you? He’s a solid striker. Scored 12 goals in 19 games last season.
I get the comparisons to Drogba b/c of the raw physicality, but to me Jozy has always been more of a RVP. A highly technical striker that likes to touch the ball and have an impact on the play.
In 2 years Jozy will have scored 4 goals leading the USA to the quarterfinals of the WC and then leaving for a big club like say Roma or Tottenham or Bordeaux
On a different note the announcers for the Villa game said the Lichaj is hurt. Seems like we can’t catch a break on keeping players healthy. It will ruin any chance of his being called in October.
Interview in English- worth a watch. The Dutch are known to value attractive, intelligent football over winning. Listen to the announcer who is trying to praise Jozy for his nice bit of skills. Jozy’s response is classic American- didn’t mean crap, we gave up two goals. Cultural differences…. http://nos.nl/video/424273-altidore-mort-twee-punten-verloren.html
Having trouble telling from the video – did he nutmeg that first defender, or just go around him? Either way, awesome goal.
Imagining what Klinsi would look like if Jozy scored a goal like that for the USMNT makes me laugh at the stern-looking golf clap Jozy got from the AZ coach.
I don’t understand this ‘international play happens at a faster speed than the Eredervise’ argument.
Really?
Guatemala’s defense is better than Twente’s? I’d be skeptical even about a better team, like Costa Rica.
When I hear people bashing the Dutch league I always think ‘WWNSD?’ What would Nate Silver do.
He would tell everybody they’re being stupid, yes the Dutch League has a ‘house effect’ that probably inflates his goal tally a bit but the end result is he is scoring a weighted goal/per game amount of 1.0 instead of 1.5. That still is hellaluva good.
The problems is the people who usually gripe about Jozy aren’t watching. They just watch the USMNT games and then hit SBI to bitch. The people paying attention understand his quality. It’s undeniable.
Then have your beer league team play AZ and let’s see what happens.
Clearly the Dutch league is offensively oriented but I notice Holland still winds up in the World Cup and that Dutch players are important parts of many of the best club teams in the world.
So at the very least, you can think of Jozy as doing really well in one of the best developmental leagues in the world.
To put it in terms you might understand, it’s as if Jozy was the outstanding defensive player for Alabama. Odds are he will be a high draft choice and do well in the NFL.
Jozy’s infamous bent knee half crouch during the team picture that betray’s the basic split between Jozy and his teammates. It tells you he is not all in, that he is ambivalent about his committment to the USMNT unlike his teamates who crouch all the way or stand up straight like only real Americans can do.
This is what I want as well. It has to happen at some point. I really hope Klinsmann brings Pontius in for camp cupcake, assuming he won’t be in earlier.
You say you’re not hating, but it sure doesn’t seem that way. Not sure how you can possibly watch that clip and say what you did. Jozy had 3 guys ALL OVER him. He had zero space and he beat them with SKILL, not by defenders stumbling or allowing too much space. He beat them by utilizing a level of ball skill that you pretty much NEVER see out of an American player. Nice skill and poise to finish it offf?? In saying the finish was the best part of the clip, you are saying you either didn’t watch the video or you just don’t know football (or you’re trolling?).
i bet he is ashamed when they play born in the usa seeing as how he hates america and all (everybody knows that because he doesn’t put his hand over his heart during the anthem). i hope he plays for haiti until he learns to love the us and show some respect.
if you liked that, just imagine what Gomez or Wondolowski would have done there, with their grit and hustle and all….someone needs to start calling out Klinsi on his B.S. (besides Ives)
Not hating, but the defense looked like my go kick the ball in the park Saturday morning beer league… nice skill and poise to finish it off. Id buy jozy a beer (he’s barely old enough to drink!)
Questions of the day- is jozy their only foward with potential or is the dutch league nothing special and does the mls have brighter future than the dutch league. Jozy is making me think donovan, dempsey and usa greats should go to the dutch league as a start to earn pride and skills in order to join a top league.
For years I have been reading haters who attack Altidore, but those who really know the game recognize his potential. When he was at Hull he was stuck, mostly as a lone striker, on one of the worst teams in EPL history and some people said his lack of production showed that he had no ability. I remember one time he was trapped against the sideline by two defenders, one in front, the other behind. Jozy did a backheel and nutmegged the defender behind him, spun 360 degrees and took his own pass down the field. I’ve watched thousands of soccer games and can’t recall seeing anyone doing that before. I knew then the kid had real talent. Now that talent is showing itself.
I didn’t start watching that game until 5 minutes in. Thanks for the info. Bummer.
Luis Suarez went directly from the Dutch League to Liverpool. He’s not the only top player who got his start in Europe in Holland and then went on to bigger and better things. It’s a good feeder league.
Because of his physicality I think England or Germany would be a better fit.
If he keeps this up he might go in January.
To me he is kind of like Ibrahimovic in that they are both physically imposing target men with good touches. Don’t know if Jozy has Ibra’s flexibility. He’s kind of a poor man’s Ibahimovic.
…Bordeaux?
Do you have a PhD in internet communication or a stick up your rear? Both?
One of the best goals ever by an American.
I’d love to see him at one of the top 5 teams in England one of these days.
Time and space example by Altidore. He is improving at combining well with teammates and making his own time and space. Near the box a forward has to win 1 VS 1 battles to earn a few yards or seconds to get a shot/goal. How about that Messi guy?
Aron Johannsson 11th goal of the season
http://www.agf.dk/agf-fodbold/agf-tv/ob-agf-30-september-2012/
8 league goals, 2 assists in 7 matches
Outstanding
Hey Pres, I hear you’re doing very well in 3 Bundesliga. Can my pal who plays at Baton Rouge High join you? He’s a solid striker. Scored 12 goals in 19 games last season.
I get the comparisons to Drogba b/c of the raw physicality, but to me Jozy has always been more of a RVP. A highly technical striker that likes to touch the ball and have an impact on the play.
Define world class.
To me that would mean if you were picking a roster of the twenty three best players to play in the tournament, he would be on that team.
Jozy is in fine form but I don’t think he makes that twenty three.
best new show this fall?
how crazy is Last Resort?
In 2 years Jozy will have scored 4 goals leading the USA to the quarterfinals of the WC and then leaving for a big club like say Roma or Tottenham or Bordeaux
He is the US’ first world class striker
Wynalda, McBride, Mathis and EJ all came close
” that” Lichaj is hurt.
On a different note the announcers for the Villa game said the Lichaj is hurt. Seems like we can’t catch a break on keeping players healthy. It will ruin any chance of his being called in October.
What a beast.
Dude is *in focused. Never seen a player so locked on. He was being serious, not modest.
Hmmmmmmm….where have we seen that before? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRJ7Wc0ndiE
+1,000
If we can get him to combine that, with this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GixhRG5PK_Y
we’ll have a Drogba 2.0 for the USMNT. 😉
Chilling
Oops- meant ‘gave up two points…’
Interview in English- worth a watch. The Dutch are known to value attractive, intelligent football over winning. Listen to the announcer who is trying to praise Jozy for his nice bit of skills. Jozy’s response is classic American- didn’t mean crap, we gave up two goals. Cultural differences….
http://nos.nl/video/424273-altidore-mort-twee-punten-verloren.html
Having trouble telling from the video – did he nutmeg that first defender, or just go around him? Either way, awesome goal.
Imagining what Klinsi would look like if Jozy scored a goal like that for the USMNT makes me laugh at the stern-looking golf clap Jozy got from the AZ coach.
I loved that too. These old Dutch guy, probably lived their whole lives in Alkmaar, shaking their heads in amazement at “our” Jozy.
Bodies the first guy off the ball then proceeds to wiggle around him again with a slick move. Nicely done, Jozy!
I don’t understand this ‘international play happens at a faster speed than the Eredervise’ argument.
Really?
Guatemala’s defense is better than Twente’s? I’d be skeptical even about a better team, like Costa Rica.
When I hear people bashing the Dutch league I always think ‘WWNSD?’ What would Nate Silver do.
He would tell everybody they’re being stupid, yes the Dutch League has a ‘house effect’ that probably inflates his goal tally a bit but the end result is he is scoring a weighted goal/per game amount of 1.0 instead of 1.5. That still is hellaluva good.
The problems is the people who usually gripe about Jozy aren’t watching. They just watch the USMNT games and then hit SBI to bitch. The people paying attention understand his quality. It’s undeniable.
Which is exactly what Man U’s Defense looked like yesterday.
He got hacked twice, and then had a lot of space after he, you know, turned on beast mode and ran past everyone who was kicking him.
Then have your beer league team play AZ and let’s see what happens.
Clearly the Dutch league is offensively oriented but I notice Holland still winds up in the World Cup and that Dutch players are important parts of many of the best club teams in the world.
So at the very least, you can think of Jozy as doing really well in one of the best developmental leagues in the world.
To put it in terms you might understand, it’s as if Jozy was the outstanding defensive player for Alabama. Odds are he will be a high draft choice and do well in the NFL.
You have it all wrong.
Jozy’s infamous bent knee half crouch during the team picture that betray’s the basic split between Jozy and his teammates. It tells you he is not all in, that he is ambivalent about his committment to the USMNT unlike his teamates who crouch all the way or stand up straight like only real Americans can do.
This is what I want as well. It has to happen at some point. I really hope Klinsmann brings Pontius in for camp cupcake, assuming he won’t be in earlier.
Ha! Funny. It’s very clear that Jozy is on another planet skill wise than any other striker in the pool. Anyone saying otherwise just isn’t watching.
You say you’re not hating, but it sure doesn’t seem that way. Not sure how you can possibly watch that clip and say what you did. Jozy had 3 guys ALL OVER him. He had zero space and he beat them with SKILL, not by defenders stumbling or allowing too much space. He beat them by utilizing a level of ball skill that you pretty much NEVER see out of an American player. Nice skill and poise to finish it offf?? In saying the finish was the best part of the clip, you are saying you either didn’t watch the video or you just don’t know football (or you’re trolling?).
Praise the Lord Jim…. I love you man.. really… America F)(*& K Yeah!
Get over yourself and watch some footy.
i bet he is ashamed when they play born in the usa seeing as how he hates america and all (everybody knows that because he doesn’t put his hand over his heart during the anthem). i hope he plays for haiti until he learns to love the us and show some respect.
The Dutch league isn’t as strong as it once was, but it does have a good reputation for developing young attacking talent.
if you liked that, just imagine what Gomez or Wondolowski would have done there, with their grit and hustle and all….someone needs to start calling out Klinsi on his B.S. (besides Ives)
A super tactical league like Serie A could really sharpen up his awareness, vision and movement. Although thats already improving by leaps and bounds
Not hating, but the defense looked like my go kick the ball in the park Saturday morning beer league… nice skill and poise to finish it off. Id buy jozy a beer (he’s barely old enough to drink!)
Questions of the day- is jozy their only foward with potential or is the dutch league nothing special and does the mls have brighter future than the dutch league. Jozy is making me think donovan, dempsey and usa greats should go to the dutch league as a start to earn pride and skills in order to join a top league.
Forget fulamerica, big respect for USAZ
What PD said^!!
He beat 3 defenders! (you can see the fingers)
Can’t stop. Won’t stop. Jozy’s on FIRE!
I get it. But in a long comment string with sundry topics, it becomes non sequitur humor…which is poorly designed for internet communication.