|
|
Altidore Pleased With Result After Emotional Night
The young striker was pleased with the result but clearer still thinking of his injured partner.
Oct 15, 2009 1:08:13 AM
WASHINGTON, DC- Jozy Altidore admitted that he was overexcited at times on Wednesday night. Wearing a shirt with Charlie Davies name and number on it under his jersey, the striker wanted nothing more than to have the occasion to show it to the world. That excitement would have to wait, however, as the U.S. left it late to pull level with Costa Rica after falling down two goals int he first half.
"I know myself, I was a little excited, I had the shirt underneath and I wanted to show it so bad and I caught myself getting too excited on a couple of chances," Altidore said after the match. "But I’m happy the game ended the way it did."
Bob Bradley saw the excitement as well, and even tried to calm down the youngster on a couple of occasion, but Altidore admitted that the emotions of playing without Davies, who he says is "like a brother to him" was a bit overwhelming.
"(Bradley) told me to take it easy a couple of times in the first half, but I just know if (Davies) was out there with me the energy level would’ve been there and we would’ve been trying to get at them together," he said. "It was tough playing without him tonight but I’m happy he’s doing better."
Altidore's on-field relationship with Davies has blossomed over the past year but will now have to be placed on a long hold as the latter recovers from the devastating injuries suffered during a car accident. The U.S. received another blow during the match when defender Oguchi Onyewu went down to an injury that coach Bob Bradley said would keep him out of action for months. But Altidore was confident that other players would step up and fill in for the missing stars.
"It’s been tough for us with injuries," he said. "We lost two very key players for us, but I think we have to show the depth and a lot of guys have to step up."
Altidore also said that Davies' injuries were proof positive that you never know what is going to happen.
"Just because how close I am to the kid, you know," the Hull City striker said. "It just hurt that much more and for me tonight. That made me realize that you may not get another game so you’ve got to make sure you play every game like it’s your last. So I’m going to try and do that from here on out."
Altidore's next task will be to try and find a regular spot on the pitch for Hull where he has played sparingly in the early part of the season. But if the emotional effort of Wednesday night is anything to go by, that time could be coming soon.
Shane Evans, Goal.com, with additional contributions from Allen Ramsey in Boston
Want more from Goal.com delivered right to your door? Introducing "Goal.com Magazine." Subscribe now!
"I know myself, I was a little excited, I had the shirt underneath and I wanted to show it so bad and I caught myself getting too excited on a couple of chances," Altidore said after the match. "But I’m happy the game ended the way it did."
Bob Bradley saw the excitement as well, and even tried to calm down the youngster on a couple of occasion, but Altidore admitted that the emotions of playing without Davies, who he says is "like a brother to him" was a bit overwhelming.
"(Bradley) told me to take it easy a couple of times in the first half, but I just know if (Davies) was out there with me the energy level would’ve been there and we would’ve been trying to get at them together," he said. "It was tough playing without him tonight but I’m happy he’s doing better."
Altidore's on-field relationship with Davies has blossomed over the past year but will now have to be placed on a long hold as the latter recovers from the devastating injuries suffered during a car accident. The U.S. received another blow during the match when defender Oguchi Onyewu went down to an injury that coach Bob Bradley said would keep him out of action for months. But Altidore was confident that other players would step up and fill in for the missing stars.
"It’s been tough for us with injuries," he said. "We lost two very key players for us, but I think we have to show the depth and a lot of guys have to step up."
Altidore also said that Davies' injuries were proof positive that you never know what is going to happen.
"Just because how close I am to the kid, you know," the Hull City striker said. "It just hurt that much more and for me tonight. That made me realize that you may not get another game so you’ve got to make sure you play every game like it’s your last. So I’m going to try and do that from here on out."
Altidore's next task will be to try and find a regular spot on the pitch for Hull where he has played sparingly in the early part of the season. But if the emotional effort of Wednesday night is anything to go by, that time could be coming soon.
Shane Evans, Goal.com, with additional contributions from Allen Ramsey in Boston
Want more from Goal.com delivered right to your door? Introducing "Goal.com Magazine." Subscribe now!
Make Your Prediction
USA - Antigua and Barbuda
USA
Antigua and Barbuda
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
USA 8-0 Antigua and Barbuda
- 14.09 %
-
USA 5-0 Antigua and Barbuda
- 12.68 %
-
USA 4-0 Antigua and Barbuda
- 12.68 %
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.
-
McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date
The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.