COMING INTO HIS OWN Altidore: 4 goals in his last 2 games
After striking twice in the win over the Los Angeles Galaxy, Jozy Altidore is up for MLS player of the week. Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images
By Michael Lewis
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor
East Rutherford, N.J. -- We all know that Jozy Altidore was good and had all that potential.
Well, it looks like the 17-year-old striker is just coming into his own, and that isn't particularly very good news for MLS goalkeepers and defenders.
Altidore struck for a pair of goals in the middle of the Red Bulls' wild 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy Saturday night.
That gave him four goals in two games over the past seven days.
Not bad, not bad at all, considering he started the month with three goals.
"The goals speak for himself," Red Bulls coach Bruce Arena said. "He's a dangerous player. What I like about him is that he is a young kid that has a lot of confidence. The physical ability, and now the technical side is starting to surface for him.
"His first touch is improving. He's doing a much better job holding up the ball. When he faces defenders, he can go by them and he can finish off his chances. It's a kid that's going to be 18-years-old in November and he is starting to show that he is a player with a lot of potential."
When Altidore turns 18 on Nov. 18, he will be eligible to join a European team if he wishes, something that he is considering.
Altidore showcased himself during the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Canada last in July, connecting for four goals in five games as he finished fourth among the top goal-scorers.
"So far it has been great for me," Altidore said. "It has been an invaluable experience playing alongside Juan Pablo Angel, Claudio Reyna, Clint Mathis, and Ronald Waterreus. They have taught me things about the game I didn't know before. It has been a great experience and I look forward to playing more and more and more."
He certainly caught the eye of David Beckham.
"He is a great player," Beckham said. "They have a few good players that we knew about before the game and it was all about stopping them. We did it to a certain extent but good players will always get chances. When he got his chances, he took them. He's a good player."
Altidore will have an opportunity to convert a few more chances this week as the Red Bulls visit D.C. United Wednesday night and the New England Revolution Saturday night.
