Photo by ISIphotos.com
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
Despite coming off toe surgery and not having played a club match in nearly six months, U.S. national team forward Jozy Altidore is confident that he can contribute to the team during its fully-loaded summer schedule.
With six goals in nine games, Altidore will be relied upon to help jump-start an American attack that has had a hard time scoring on stronger opponents. Altidore's nose for goal will first be needed in the United States' upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Honduras and then in the Confederations Cup against the likes of Brazil, Italy and Egypt.
Coming off toe surgery, Altidore's fitness is very much in question, but the Villarreal striker refuses to speculate on where he is in terms of conditioning as he sees that as an escape clause in case of bad performances.
"I'm not the guy that likes to say I'm 84% or 75% because then you leave an excuse and I don't want to do that," said Altidore. "I think these are important games for the team and no excuse is acceptable. We have to get the job done."
Altidore acknowledges the importance of next month's matches but also sees the high-profile games as a dream come true.
"It's going to be a lot of fun. When you're a kid, you dream of playing against the biggest teams and the best players in the world," he said.
Facing the likes of Maicon, Dani Alves and an Italian defense that is sure to be its usual stingy self, Altidore will surely be tested and tried this summer against some of the world's best defenders.
Altidore, who leads the United States in scoring through qualifying with five goals, believes that the United States has a realistic chance of lifting the Confederations Cup when the tournament concludes on June 28.
"It won't be easy but it is not always about the eleven technical or world renowned players. It is about, on that day, what eleven guys work best together."
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What do you think of Altidore's future? Do you see him becoming the number one forward option in the coming year? Do you believe, like Altidore, that the U.S. has a chance of lifting the Confederations Cup trophy?
Share your thoughts below.
it has to be a 2 way street with both the parties. Telling Ives to ban the guys (or have higher standards) who wish ill on a player, and then giving joey a pass for wishing the same on them doesn’t work. Equal opportunity hating is what i’m all about
Fan,
Try to be more sensitive please… Persons with mental retardation are not hatemongers. Indeed some are among our most cheerful citizens and soccer fans. If you were a real soccer fan, you’d have something to say about soccer. Like “Josmer you’re awesome” or something like that
Joey,
Please ignore the retards who just come to post their hate here.
Ives,
You should have higher standards on what is allowed to be posted on your blog. It doesn’t reflect good on your site or Americans.
Thanks
US Soccer Fan
Anybody who questions where Altidore is now or where he could end up has an axe to grind. He’s a special kid, and a special talent.
To Sonicdeathmonkey-
Not as sweet as if Rossi played, we beat them, and Rossi tore a hamstring
then never called back up to play for Italy, and got sold from Villareal-
lol
Posted by: CrispyST3 | May 28, 2009 at 08:01 PM
^^^^^^^^^^^
YOU TOO ARE A LOSER And SHAME ON IVES AND THIS SITE FOR THIS ALLOWING THIS GARABGE.
GO SEEK THERAPY YOU LOSER and I HOPE WHAT ILL YOU WISH UPON OTHER/S…ACTUALLY HAPPENS TO YOU.
“How sweet would it be if Rossi played, and we beat them?”
Not as sweet as if Rossi played, we beat them, and Rossi tore a hamstring. THAT would be sweet.
Posted by: sonicdeathmonkey | May 28, 2009 at 05:28 PM
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
YOU ARE A SICK HUMAN BEING. I HOPE WHAT ILL YOU WISH UPON OTHER/S…ACTUALLY HAPPENS TO YOU.
GO SEEK THERAPY YOU LOSER !
Why would he play a lone stiker when its been shown that our team is more dominant with two up top. Even if Altidore dosen’t start we can still use donovan underneath ching and put torres in the midfield and play a diamond. And jozy can be super sub for ching. Its not the end of the world. and we don’t need a foreign coach they can’t do it..
To Sonicdeathmonkey-
Not as sweet as if Rossi played, we beat them, and Rossi tore a hamstring
then never called back up to play for Italy, and got sold from Villareal-
lol
I knew Jozy was the business, but I didn’t know he lead us in scoring in WCQ at 19… This kid is gonna be serious when he peaks!
As a Mexico/Red Bulls fan, I gotta say, Jozy is a real class act.
As a football fan, I agree with the guy/gal who said they’d rather the US lose all their games at the Confederations Cup as long as they play an open brand of football.
That will make more of an impression compared to the usual bunkerball the US tends to play under Bradley.
Good Luck to you guys at the Confeds Cup, make CONCACAF proud.
GJJ – hiddink is just playing caretaker for Chelsea. It’s not that they don’t want home but he is still the coach of Russia and he plans on saying there.
“How sweet would it be if Rossi played, and we beat them?”
Not as sweet as if Rossi played, we beat them, and Rossi tore a hamstring. THAT would be sweet.
Oh, and winning the cup is possible, if we go out and show our extreme fitness, speed and work rate. When we play good, team futbol, we win.
Besides, look at Greece 2002…ANYONE can win this thing…except South Africa.
Pretty much every game he plays in he scores.. can’t say that for Ching
Bradley is fine as head coach. He just errs on the side of experience…usually.
We ABSOLUTELY need Jozy in the lineup if we have any prayer of beating ANY of our ConfedCup opponents. (Seriously, Ching and Donovan or Dempsey just doesn’t work for US.) His attitude off the field is only surpassed by the one he brings onto the field. He doesn’t seem to care who he’s playing. He just goes out to score on the other guys. I think that our players (particularly the MLSers) get blinded by the stars from other major countries, and Jozy doesn’t.
If we’re missing Edu, Hejduk AND Jozy, however, we’re doomed. DOOMED, I say.
Doubtful that Bradley will even play him much, given the time off. Be prepared for Brian Ching as the lone striker and Altidore on the bench.
Personally, I would rather see us play attractive, free flowing soccer and lose than play negative Italian/Greek style soccer and win at the confederations cup…
I say this b/c I think our team is in the process of creating and identity for itself that will be the blueprint for how we play in the WC, and that is the type of team I would like to see in 2010
I agree that beating Italy and Brazil is possible…….but highly improbable. My guess is that we leave the competition with one point after tying Egypt. Not happy with Bob Bradley at all, over the lack of time for Kenny Cooper. I am a Fire fan, so it’s no love of Dallas or Cooper that makes me say that. Since Chelsea seems to want someone other than Guus Hiddink, I think we could do a lot worse than thanking Bradley for his caretaker service a see what big Guus can do with the US squad in the 2010 WC. Tell Gulati to get the checkbook ready before the Aussies or Russians snap him up again.
Its been a strange season for Jozy, his highs and lows are well documented, but I’m looking forward to a well rested Jozy giving those punch-drunk European players some headaches.
Also, Altidore must get playing time next year. I don’t care where he is, but he has to play if he wants to be the first option in the World Cup.
The US problem has always been (at least in the last 2 World Cups) being able to play 3 good games in a row. I believe we can earn a draw against Brazil or Italy and beat Egypt if we don’t lose focus. That might be good enough to make it to the second round where we can only hope we don’t face Spain first.
I love Altidore’s comments though.
Correct Rob. Sorry. I was interrupted mid keystroke by a student needing something and lost my train of thought. I was going to go on about how we lost badly in that world cup but tied Italy after a bad red card to P.M. and a mental breakdowns against the Czechs.
I agree with Jozy — we have a shot. We know on any given day that (1) we can tie Italy and (2) we can tie or even beat Brazil. Those of you who think I’m crazy for (2) above think back to the recent friendly against Brazil in Chicago. It ended 4-2 but one of Brazil’s goals came on an Onyewu own goal off an unlucky ricochet after a fantastic Howard save of Kaka. Another came on a Ronaldinho free kick after a questionable foul called on Boca. And if I’m not crazy, Josh Wolff was brought down in the box and no penalty was called. I’m not saying our team has players of Brazil’s and Italy’s caliber, I’m just saying it’s not out of the realm of possibility that we pick up enough points to get out of our Confed Cup group and then anything can happen. Actually, the game I’m most anxious about is Egypt because that may be a do-or-die game and we know little about them except for Aboutrika.
I think the Kid is right, the US has a chance of coming up with the Cup. An fitness wise, he may not be ready now but when the Conf. Cup starts he will be ready.
I dont think we can advance out of the group stages, but we can play well against Italy and Brazil. We need them to underestimate our team to have a chance.
um, dantheblue…..we didn’t lose. we tied, 1-1.
Derek – I would love to see him get shut down all day by the likes of Bradley, Edu, Onyewu, Boca, etc…
Even though we lost, I believe we showed that we can beat Italy in last W.C… additionally, beating Brazil isn’t unheard of. We beat them only 10 years (or so) ago.
ANY time you compete you can win… I’m looking to WIN games this summer. A healthy and strong Altidore and Edu will certainly make that even more likely…
How sweet would it be if Rossi played, and we beat them?
His maturity is the most impressive. He is saying all the right things. I hope for the sake of this country, he is the player we have all been waiting for.
ALTIDORE!!!!
BlueWhiteLion–
I agree, it’s very easy to get caught up in the whos better on paper routine…although I think the US has a better shot than people think. This team we have is brand new. New coach, new players, new system. Are we better? Yes. How much better? If we play to our potential we have the ability to beat anyone. After the Confederations Cup, everyone will know what kind of team we have, where we need to improve, what we are good at. No one knows what the results will be. I can’t wait…
I love Jozy’s attitude. He has fire in his eyes, which some USMNT players don’t seem to have. He is the future of our offense, no doubt. I hope the attitude of the team is spirit, hunger and desire.
BTW there is a possibility Guesseppi Rossi makes the Italian team if he impresses in friendlies before the Confederations Cup. How bittersweet would it be to watch him play against the USMNT?
sorry for the crappy typing. that’s “definitely” and “play” Italy tough.
A shot at winning the cup? If we get out of group (which is a very big if), then we difintely have a shot. Paay Italy as tough as in 06, shut down Brazil, and you may come away with a tie or a win from those two games (hey we beat Brazil in the Copa in the nineties). But, don’t overlook Egypt. We probably HAVE to beat them, and they are very good.
I would say the US has a shot–albeit long. Having NO shot would have been the ’90 WC team. Likely Confed cup winners, or even runner’s up? No. Possible, without being totally shocking and requiring a realigning of the planets? Yes.
Man, his attitude seems too good to be true.
How is it that someone with his skills and attitude doesn’t see more playing time?
We’re going to need a lot of offense with our defense being hampered by injury.
I don’t know how anyone can NOT love this kid.
Love this kids attitude! he has the perfect body for a great striker. He is big, tall, strong, and fast! We have a good future ahead of us!
I like his attitude and it sounds like game fitness is really his only physical concern which was to be expected. And No, I don’t believe the US has a real shot at winning the Confed Cup
Altidore seems like a class act… Im very excited about this kid, no wonder Everton was after him…