NEW YORK – Many US national team fans may have been in awe of Jozy Altidore’s game-winning strike against Guadeloupe, which qualified the US national team to the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Not New York Red Bulls fans.
The Red Bulls faithful knew of Altidore’s ability to strike from long distance from his first ever MLS goal as a 16-year-old back on Sept. 16, 2006 against the Columbus Crew.
His 83rd-minute strike won the game for New York on that day, in only his second-ever appearance as a professional player. Although he enjoyed more time and he had a greater run-up with the ball, his strike from 25 yards out on the turf of the old Giants Stadium is reminiscent of the explosive power he unleashed against Guadeloupe at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park.
WATCH: Jozy Altidore's first MLS goal (Sept. 16, 2006)
Altidore went on to score 15 goals during an MLS career which spanned three seasons before Spain’s Villarreal stepped up with a large transfer fee to acquire his services at the age of 19 in 2008.
He has gone on to score 13 goals in 39 appearances since debuting for the senior US national team on Nov. 17, 2007 in a victory in South Africa.
