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Level-Headed Altidore Prepared To Work For Success
With a healthy combination of humility and levelheadedness, Jozy Altidore is ready and willing to put in the work needed to succeed.
Sep 3, 2009 6:03:31 PM
PARK CITY, Utah-- The most immediate physical attribute Jozy Altidore has that many people notice is his broad shoulders. His upper torso is intimidatingly large. It's just as well, though, since many have placed the future of American soccer on those shoulders.
One person who doesn't buy the hype is Altidore. He's in Park City, Utah, training for the upcoming World Cup qualifier between the United States and El Salvador, and he's not about to brush aside the value of the work he needs to put in.
“I still have a long way to go,” Altidore told journalists after practice. “I try to keep myself grounded and understand that success comes for a reason. It's not because you're lucky or it's given upon you. You have to work hard to get it.”
His humility is nearly as impressive as his accomplishments: Most expensive American player. Youngest player to score in the Major League Soccer playoffs. Youngest American to score a hat-trick for the national team. Scorer of the game winner to stop Spain's 35 game unbeaten streak. First American to score in La Liga.
At 19 years old, there doesn't seem to be much the striker can't accomplish in his career.
Right now, his career has landed him at Hull City in England, where he is on loan from Villarreal, the club that bought him for $10 million last summer. In two appearances for Hull, Altidore has notched a goal and a game-winning assist. More importantly, he played two games in his first week with the club, a far cry his last loan spell, where he was frozen out at Spanish side Xerez. With the World Cup less than a year away, the youngster knows playing time is crucial.
“It's huge,” he confirmed. “It's one of the reasons I made the move, to look for more playing time in a good level. The Premier League is a very good level, so that I'm very happy about. The chance to play in the Premier League as a whole is a good experience for me.”
While abroad, Altidore is part of a burgeoning group of national team players who keep fans updated through Twitter. He supplies his followers with updates, as well as engaging in frequent banter with other internationals such as Maurice Edu, Charlie Davies, and Stuart Holden.
“Twitter is just my way of letting people know what's going on with everything,” Altidore explained. “A lot of people wish they could be doing what we're doing. Any chance for them to get a little insight into what we're doing, I think they like that. It's my way of giving back to them in a way."
When Goal.com jokingly suggested he was after the fame, Altidore chuckled, but clarified, “I'm not looking for fame, man. I'm just trying to fill them in. I know a lot of people would love to be professional soccer players, so it's nice to give them a little peek of our world.”
Twitter will provide fans with a look behind the scenes in the days leading up to the match, but on Saturday it'll be back to the television screen for Altidore. The U.S. hosts El Salvador in Rio Tinto Stadium with four games left in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. In March, the former New York Red Bull scored in a late two-goal comeback to snatch a draw in San Salvador. With the venue on American soil, Altidore is expecting a very different match.
“That was a tough game,” Alidore said of the qualifier in March. “They put us on our heels early. We have to make sure we switch roles a bit. We're at home, so we have to come out flying. Anytime you play home you want to come out with a good start, maybe get an early goal and put them on their heels early. That's the key.”
Early aggression will be the key to the El Salvador game, as Landon Donovan has also pointed out. But it's quite possible humility and hard work will be key to a successful career for Altidore and his broad shoulders.
Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
If you follow the U.S. Men's National Team, you'll love the dedicated page on Goal.com
One person who doesn't buy the hype is Altidore. He's in Park City, Utah, training for the upcoming World Cup qualifier between the United States and El Salvador, and he's not about to brush aside the value of the work he needs to put in.
“I still have a long way to go,” Altidore told journalists after practice. “I try to keep myself grounded and understand that success comes for a reason. It's not because you're lucky or it's given upon you. You have to work hard to get it.”
His humility is nearly as impressive as his accomplishments: Most expensive American player. Youngest player to score in the Major League Soccer playoffs. Youngest American to score a hat-trick for the national team. Scorer of the game winner to stop Spain's 35 game unbeaten streak. First American to score in La Liga.
At 19 years old, there doesn't seem to be much the striker can't accomplish in his career.
Right now, his career has landed him at Hull City in England, where he is on loan from Villarreal, the club that bought him for $10 million last summer. In two appearances for Hull, Altidore has notched a goal and a game-winning assist. More importantly, he played two games in his first week with the club, a far cry his last loan spell, where he was frozen out at Spanish side Xerez. With the World Cup less than a year away, the youngster knows playing time is crucial.
“It's huge,” he confirmed. “It's one of the reasons I made the move, to look for more playing time in a good level. The Premier League is a very good level, so that I'm very happy about. The chance to play in the Premier League as a whole is a good experience for me.”
While abroad, Altidore is part of a burgeoning group of national team players who keep fans updated through Twitter. He supplies his followers with updates, as well as engaging in frequent banter with other internationals such as Maurice Edu, Charlie Davies, and Stuart Holden.
“Twitter is just my way of letting people know what's going on with everything,” Altidore explained. “A lot of people wish they could be doing what we're doing. Any chance for them to get a little insight into what we're doing, I think they like that. It's my way of giving back to them in a way."
When Goal.com jokingly suggested he was after the fame, Altidore chuckled, but clarified, “I'm not looking for fame, man. I'm just trying to fill them in. I know a lot of people would love to be professional soccer players, so it's nice to give them a little peek of our world.”
Twitter will provide fans with a look behind the scenes in the days leading up to the match, but on Saturday it'll be back to the television screen for Altidore. The U.S. hosts El Salvador in Rio Tinto Stadium with four games left in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. In March, the former New York Red Bull scored in a late two-goal comeback to snatch a draw in San Salvador. With the venue on American soil, Altidore is expecting a very different match.
“That was a tough game,” Alidore said of the qualifier in March. “They put us on our heels early. We have to make sure we switch roles a bit. We're at home, so we have to come out flying. Anytime you play home you want to come out with a good start, maybe get an early goal and put them on their heels early. That's the key.”
Early aggression will be the key to the El Salvador game, as Landon Donovan has also pointed out. But it's quite possible humility and hard work will be key to a successful career for Altidore and his broad shoulders.
Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
If you follow the U.S. Men's National Team, you'll love the dedicated page on Goal.com
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