His first full season in Major League Soccer started with a national adidas commercial, continued with the prom, high school graduation and a stellar performance in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup. And it now includes the cover of the Electronic Arts game FIFA '08.
It's pretty good to be Jozy Altidore these days.
"A couple of weeks ago I got an e-mail from my agent telling me I'm going to be on the cover and I was like, 'What do you mean?'" Altidore said. "At that point I was just shocked and really excited to be part of something like this."
Altidore is on the cover of the North American game, along with Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho and Mexican goalkeeper Guilermo Ochoa. At 17, Altidore is the second youngest player to be on the cover of an EA Sports game. Former Real Salt Lake midfielder Freddy Adu, who last week signed with Benfica of the Portuguese First Division, was 16 when he was on the cover two years ago.P
"At EA Sports, we believe in identifying the most talented up-and-coming athletes in the world to help us develop the most authentic sports games," EA Sports director of marketing Romain Rossi said in a statement. "We believe Altidore is one of the next great American soccer stars."
And after scoring three goals in the U-20 World Cup last month, Altidore is seriously considering a move to Europe, especially with U.S. teammates Adu, Sal Zizzo and Danny Szetela all at various stages of possible European moves. He initially thought he's need to be 21 to be mature enough to make such a leap. Now, he's thinking he might be ready when he's eligible on his 18th birthday Nov. 6.
"It's about what's best for me and right now the Red Bulls are what's best for me," Altidore said. "There's no real rush on that, but if an opportunity about I'll take a look at it and see if it's right."
New York teammate Clint Mathis knows a thing or two about being on a cover and about playing in Europe. He became only the second U.S. men's national team player to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated before the 2002 World Cup on May 27, 2002 and he left the MetroStars to play for Hannover 96 in the German Bundesliga in 2004.
"That was really cool, it's one of those things you dream about as a little kid," Mathis said. "It's a great honor to be on a magazine like that."
And although he's struggled since the 2002 World Cup until his recent resurgence in his second stint in New York, Mathis doesn't believe in the SI cover jinx.
"I've done well, I think I made different choices that some people don't understand because it's none of their business and that's why I don't tell them," he said. "As far as a jinx, I led a great life and I still enjoy playing soccer and I'll continue going to as long as they let me."
When the Red Bulls return to the field Sunday afternoon, it will be 17 days since they last played an MLS match, a 2-0 loss to Chivas USA on July 26. Since then, the Red Bulls have dropped into fourth place in the Eastern Conference, six points behind first-place New England, but just one point in front of the Columbus Crew.
The Red Bulls used the time away from the field to rest and get healthy. They expected Dema Kovalenko to be ready, but he and teammate Sinisa Ubiparipovic were involved in a car accident last weekend and Kovalenko sustained facial injuries and is out for the Toronto FC match. Ubiparipovic, who is also roommates with Kovalenko, trained during the week and is available.
"I think the rest has done us good. We started off really well in the beginning, everyone was confident and organized and then we had a couple of ups and downs," Mathis said. "I think this break was good for us. Not only did we have two and a half weeks without playing a game, but Bruce has been able to give us a couple of days off and I think that helped guys, not only physically but mentally"
Mo Johnston, who is making his return to Giants Stadium for the first time since being fired as Red Bulls coach last June, will be without several regulars Sunday, including goalkeeper Greg Sutton (concussion), midfielder Ronnie O'Brien (knee), forward Jeff Cunningham (adductor) and midfielder Maurice Edu, who will serve a one-game suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Former Red Bulls defender Marvell Wynne (hamstring) is doubtful, as is forward Danny Dichio (hip flexor) and defender Andrew Boyens (concussion) is questionable.
Toronto, tied for last place in the East with Chicago, played Los Angeles to a scoreless draw last weekend and is winless in five consecutive matches. With few exceptions, the Red Bulls are playing Eastern Conference foes the rest of the season, which makes games like Sunday's vitally important.
"It's a big game and all of the last 12 games are going to be big," Altidore said. "We know we've been struggling a bit and we cant afford to give away three points, especially at home."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
