While the U.S men's national team is currently displaying the products of its burgeoning youth system at the FIFA World Cup in Germany, one of the programs brightest starlets is also in Europe now doing what he does best - score goals.
Meet 16-year-old Josmer (Jozy) Altidore. Altidore, who was drafted in the second round by the Red Bulls with the 17th overall pick, might be considered the steal of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft. Though he will not play again with the full squad until he finishes his high school academics, the Boca Raton, Fla., native has made an impression ever since he was selected.
Despite only seeing limited time with New York because of international duty, Altidore recorded three goals and an assist in three reserve games with the team.
"For this year, I'm just trying to keep building my confidence level," Altidore said from Lisbon, Portugal, where he is playing for the U.S. U-18 squad in the Lisbon Tournament - a competition with several other youth sides. "In the next few years, I hope to be a regular face for the Red Bulls and getting selected for the national team."
Unlike others his age, Altidore has already matured physically. At 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, Altidore is a presence in the attacking third and this was evident in his history with the U.S. U-17 squad, where he has scored 19 goals in 25 games played. In his trip with the U-18's, Altidore scored a goal in games against the Real Madrid Juniors and Sweden.
"He's going to be a good player," said Red Bulls head coach Mo Johnston. "He's going to be someone a lot of people are going to be looking at to be one of the stars of the future. But it's how he adapts to [playing at the next level], he has all of the tools, it's just a matter of him expressing himself."
Though Johnston would love to have him practicing with the team every day and the forward's scoring ability could undoubtedly help a team that is tied for eighth in MLS in goals, he realizes and encourages Altidore's need to finish up his academic work. And despite his immense talent on the field, Altidore said that balancing his school life with his life on the field is difficult.
"I'm just trying to keep my eyes on the prize and with that, I will have no choice but to maintain both my sport and schooling, schooling being first," he said.
For now, Altidore is just enjoying his time with the national team, as he watches the World Cup from Lisbon. He said that the opponents the squad are facing are all very strong, and he's gaining more confident as each day goes on.
"It's very exciting," Altidore said about playing for the U.S. "Playing at this level is something you always dream of and I hope I continue to progress and make my way to the full team when the time is right."
Though his time playing with the Red Bulls was short, Altidore said he has already learned a lot of his experience there.
"I've improved by being a lot sharper on the ball, because at this level if your touch isn't right and you can't make a pass from A to B then success will be impossible. I've learned from my team that no matter what you should try and find something positive out of things that don't go your way. With our team tying most of our games at this point, it's important to stay positive," he said.
For most 16-year-olds, the prospect of playing professional soccer and traveling across the world would be a daunting proposition, but Altidore said that he takes everything one step at a time, having fun the whole way.
"It's a blessing, yes," he said of his rapid success, "but I'm a fearless type of guy and I feel I can take anything on."
