Red Bull Jozy Altidore recently joined the team at preseason training in California, fresh off his first start and goal for the US Men's National team following the team's friendly match with CONCACAF rival Mexico on Wednesday. Altidore took a few moments to sit down with NewYorkRedBulls.com and look back on his experience in the USA/Mexico game, his goal (the youngest for a US player in the modern era) and on rejoining the team.
RBNY: When did you find out about your call up for the Mexico game?
Altidore: It was actually on the last day of the Olympic camp down in Bradenton, and our team administrator, Alfonso Cerda, came up to me to say that I am going to fly to Houston to be with the team for the Mexico game. It was an unbelievable feeling, I was dancing. Me and (Toronto FC member) Mo Edu found out at the same time. We were really happy because anytime you get the chance to represent the country, and on a stage like we did in Houston, it's definitely a great experience.
RBNY: When did you find out you were going to start the match?
Altidore: I didn't find out until the night before (the game). We did a little drill with the starting team and I saw that I was moved to the team that usually starts. You can tell the guys that always get time, like (Oguchi) Onyewu and (Carlos) Bocanegra, and I saw that I was on that team. I thought to myself, "Wow, this is my chance to play with a bunch of quality players on a big stage." I was really excited.
RBNY: The game was a sellout at Reliant Stadium. What was the crowd like?
Altidore: It was tremendous. I heard there were 70-plus (thousand), so there were a lot of people and it made the game that much better to play in. If you can't get really pumped up to play in a game like that, then I don't know. It was a really a lot of fun and a good experience.
RBNY: Take us through your goal.
Altidore: I saw Drew Moore get the ball out wide after Mike Bradley played it to him. He has a knack for hitting great crosses, he hit a great one, and there was really nothing the defender could do. The cross was perfectly placed. I was just in the right position and I did my best to get a head on it, and it went in. It was an amazing feeling. After I headed it I quickly glanced over at the linesman to make sure I was onsides and I was like, "Wow, my first goal". It was great. Not only that, but it put us up, 2-1. It was good for the team to get that second goal.
RBNY: USA and Mexico is a big rivalry. Talk about your experience after your first taste of this rivalry.
Altidore: It was unbelievable. The Mexican fans really let you hear it. It's great to get a game like that in the US. It was nice to be a part of it. There is definitely something there in this rivalry. It's emotional, physical, everything. I think the rivalry is really something special and it's nice to have two of the best CONCACAF teams on the field. It definitely felt like both teams were playing hard. (The Mexican team) was pressing the issue and it was a good test for the US National Team. I thought all in all, it was good for both teams to really get a game like that at that speed.
RBNY: You arrived at Red Bulls preseason camp late Thursday. How does it feel to be back with the club?
Altidore: It's great. It's home sweet home for me. It's great to see the guys again and meet the new coach. There's a different aura about the team this year so I am really excited to kick off the year and start counting the victories.
