An uncommonly powerful striker, Altidore has been tipped by many as the United States’ answer to the retirement of former icon Brian McBride. With roots in the francophone Caribbean nation of Haiti, Jozy, still just 19, began his professional career with a bang in the domestic top flight, Major League Soccer, with 15 goals in 37 appearances over two seasons for the New York Red Bulls. The players’ power, nose for goal and ability to bring those around him into the game and disrupt opposition defences was soon attracting the attention of one of Europe’s top talent assessors, former Villarreal manager and current Real Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini. The Chilean tactician wasted no time bringing young Jozy to Spain’s La Liga (Villarreal) at the start of the 2008 season for a reported 10 million USD, making the player the biggest-ever signing from MLS. He opened his scoring account against Athletic Bilbao in early November to become the first American ever to score a goal in Spain’s ultra-competitive top flight. Unfortunately for Altidore, he was sent out on loan to second division leaders Xerez in January of 2009 and found it difficult to secure significant playing time. However, his contributions to the US senior national team – after a glittering career at youth and Olympic level – have been significant and consistent. Making his first cap in November 2007, the physically imposing striker has since moved himself into the reckoning in attack during qualifying for the 2010 …
