Photo by ISIphotos.com
Call it coincidence, or true twist of fate, but it is at least pretty interesting that in the same week that the New York Red Bulls are heading to the West Coast to play in their first MLS Cup final, one of their former young stars was also be shining in the Western part of the United States.
U.S. national team striker Jozy Altidore spent Wednesday night impressing observers with his ever-improving skill and the progress he has enjoyed since making his $10 million move from the Red Bulls to Villarreal. Just a day later, the Red Bulls were on a charter flight West, heading for Los Angeles and an MLS Cup final few could have imagined being in, especially without Altidore.
The 19-year-old striker won't be playing for the Red Bulls on Sunday, but he will be rooting for them. Altidore spoke with SBI correspondent Sulaiman Folarin after the U.S. team's 2-0 win against Guatemala. He spoke about his time at Villarreal and how he has kept in touch with his former MLS club:
By SULAIMAN FOLARIN
Jozy Altidore might not be lacing his soccer boots for the New York Red Bull any more, but the $10 million teenager is still watching his former club and their laudable performances in the MLS playoffs as they prepare for the MLS Cup Final in California this Sunday.
Just a couple of months ago, Altidore was still donning the colors of New York, but now plying his trade and honing his skills in one of Europe’s top leagues.
“That was my first club, so I’m always talking to the guys over there,” Altidore said in an exclusive interview. Though he has moved on to Spain and bigger opportunities with Villarreal, the young forward who admits he is in no rush to start for the La Liga giants, hopes his former teammates can lift the new MLS Cup and would have loved to play in the game himself.
“It’d be nice to play in it [MLS Cup],” Altidore confessed. “It’d be nice for them [New York] to win it and they have earned it, there is no doubt in my mind that they will leave everything out there on the field come Sunday.”
Altidore acknowledged that he is learning a lot from the Spanish league and his teammates Robert Pires, Giuseppe Rossi along with the older teammates who are supportive of his growth. He is excited with the core of quality players on the team and hopes his time to help the club will come soon.
“There are tons of world class players on the team, so I’m learning a lot from the guys," Altidore said. "My time will come and when it comes I have to be ready for it."
The forward turned provider for the first USA goal against Guatemala in Wednesday is loving life in Spain.
“It’s a good life man", says Altidore with a smile. “It’s simple and you know you got to focus on your job, and at the same time it’s whatever you want it to be.”
Aside from rooting for the Red Bulls this weekend, Altidore still keeps in touch with players on the team, including Dane Richards. Although he cannot help the team on the field, one thing he will be doing on Sunday is watching and cheering New York on.
“Of course, I’ll be watching all the way, but there is nothing I can do but support them,” Altidore said.
man, those guatemala jerseys look like theyre all XXL or something.
hope villareal strikers all simultaneously suffer short term injuries, just so once i can see him play for a full 90 paired alongside Rossi, just to see what might have been.
>.>
——-
Josy and Rossi played in the first Copa Del game , were Villarreal lost 5-0
Posted by: nels |
IVES, WHAT.IS.WRONG.WITH.ANGEL??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
gotta say he looked a lot better since the last time i saw him play for the Red Bulls and the Olympics. His footskill is visibly improving and he has a lot more confidence to ran at players. I’m also really impressed by his use of his body which will be a dangerous combo.
Jozy not named for this weekend’s match.
There are a few non-immigrants (at least not as recently) that help offensively too. How about Ching, Rogers, and Casey? Not to foret McBride in the recent past. In midfield Beckerman, Bradley (hopefully more offensive soon), Beasley, Convey, and a few others.
Er…. Donovan? Not a first generation American. Bocanegra’s Dad is Mexican, his mom is American, so he’s not really first gen either. I’m not sure why you put Findley in there. He’s not on the nats, and that’s what we’re talking about, right?
I actually don’t even see the relevance of any of this discussion, but it is annoying when people don’t fact check. wikipedia is really easy to use.
Dave, Manny is right. Cooper, Altidore, Adu, Kljestan, even Mastroeni, Gibbs, and maybe Bornstein and Parkhurst are first generation Americans. And then there’s Bocanegra, Findley, Donovan, Onyewu, Torres, Orozco, and Szetela who are also first generation. There’s no dig for me. What it says is that the Soccer culture has been preserved by their families.
I cannot think of a better place for Josy to hone his craft and flurish. It’s the right team (great coach, great style of play, great players) right league. I cannot sing the praises enough of Manuel Pellegrini, the coach, who I have thought for years since his days with San Lorenzo and River Plate, is one of the best coaches in the world along with Arsene Wenger, and especially for a young player.
Funny, Lion. 🙂
quite worrying about SOIs on SBI you . . .
lol
Ives!!!!
Any word on TFC coach Carver & trainer Winsper leaving for Newcastle?? It’s all over british news!!
Thanks!
>man, those guatemala jerseys look like theyre all XXL or something.
No Nels – those are regular size jerseys. It’s just that the Guatemalan players are XXS.
Manny is that supposed to be some sort of dig?
All Americans are sons of immigrants.
Llorente is out for a few months I think…
This will hopefully at least get him on the bench.
I really like the fact that all the Americans that attack oriented are sons of immigrants.
There are players on Villareal older than Robert Pires??
What, no question about the rash of injuries to Villarreal strikers and its impact on his playing time and loan possibilities? I wish someone would answer that question about if he plays 6 games (in La Liga? for Villarreal?), can he be loaned?
The kid is such a humble professional. He always knows the right things to say. A lot of NFL and MLB guys can learn from him…
The kid is such a humble professional. He always knows the right things to say. A lot of NFL and MLB guys can learn from him…
he was my favorite player on the red bulls since his first game, now he’s my favorite player on the national team. hopefully he can play up to my expectations.
Great player, great person, sky is the limit for this player.
man, those guatemala jerseys look like theyre all XXL or something.
hope villareal strikers all simultaneously suffer short term injuries, just so once i can see him play for a full 90 paired alongside Rossi, just to see what might have been.
>.>
Humble til the end.
Love that Guy.