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Brandinho · 16-03-2007, 07:11 AM

ON THE SPOT* Altidore talks club, country and numbers

ON THE SPOT
Altidore talks club, country and numbers

Carson, Calif. -- A year ago, only the well-studied soccer fan had heard of Jozy Altidore, or at least knew what he was capable of. Altidore burst onto the scene in 2006 and helped lead the New York Red Bulls to the playoffs and nearly helped oust the overall points leader of last season.

Hardly a grizzled veteran, Altidore is still learning – and seemingly growing – each and every day.

As the Red Bulls came to town to train at Home Depot Center, LASoccerNews.com caught up with the young Altidore to discuss the MLS season and the Under-20 World Cup.

LASoccerNews: Is it just me, or do you seem taller again?

Jozy Altidore: I’m 6-2 now.

LASN: You didn’t get that much time in the Under-20 qualifying. Was that tough?

Altidore: It was disappointing, but I guess it just wasn’t meant to be. I got there and I guess I ate something bad. I couldn’t even walk without feeling dizzy. I was pretty bad. It was disappointing, but I’ve got to look at the bigger picture. The guys got out there and they did well. Now we’ve qualified for the World Cup.

LASN: How does that feel?

Altidore: It’s a great feeling. I’ve never gotten to play in one of those before. I’m excited. I want to make the team and play well.

LASN: You’ve already played in a U-17 World Cup – at least a little.

Altidore: Yeah, but that’s really introducing you to the real thing. It wasn’t as big as this one is going to be.

LASN: Of course, it’s also a big deal to start for the Red Bulls as a teenager – does that make you nervous?

Altidore: Not really. Right now I’m just trying to get back in form, coming off the U-20 thing, and just working with my team and getting my timing back. It is a big deal to start for the Red Bulls, but I’m not looking at it like that. I’m just trying to help the team.

LASN: The team, of course, has some different players this year.

Altidore: It’s changed. Changes are tough, because you get used to some guys and then they leave, but I’m one hundred percent behind Bruce because I know he’s trying to build something better. Whatever he does, I’m behind him.

LASN: Are you excited to start this season off with Bruce Arena as your coach?

Altidore: Definitely, because you get used to him. You get used to his demeanor and how he acts around the team. It’s nice to have him from the start to the end.

LASN: Right now your jersey number perfect, because it’s your age – are you going to score that number of goals to match it?

Altidore: It’s good for a year. I might change it to 18 next year. Naw, I’m joking. That’s tough to score that much. It’s always a goal, but that’s tough.

16-03-2007, 07:11 AM	#42 (permalink)
Brandinho TS Member Favourite Team: Internazionale, ManUtd Brandinho is Offline Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Trenton Posts: 1,451 vCash: 50 Rep: Rep Points: 2169 Country:	Altidore 17, call's Reyna grandpa ON THE SPOT* Altidore talks club, country and numbers ON THE SPOT Altidore talks club, country and numbers Carson, Calif. -- A year ago, only the well-studied soccer fan had heard of Jozy Altidore, or at least knew what he was capable of. Altidore burst onto the scene in 2006 and helped lead the New York Red Bulls to the playoffs and nearly helped oust the overall points leader of last season. Hardly a grizzled veteran, Altidore is still learning – and seemingly growing – each and every day. As the Red Bulls came to town to train at Home Depot Center, LASoccerNews.com caught up with the young Altidore to discuss the MLS season and the Under-20 World Cup. LASoccerNews: Is it just me, or do you seem taller again? Jozy Altidore: I’m 6-2 now. LASN: You didn’t get that much time in the Under-20 qualifying. Was that tough? Altidore: It was disappointing, but I guess it just wasn’t meant to be. I got there and I guess I ate something bad. I couldn’t even walk without feeling dizzy. I was pretty bad. It was disappointing, but I’ve got to look at the bigger picture. The guys got out there and they did well. Now we’ve qualified for the World Cup. LASN: How does that feel? Altidore: It’s a great feeling. I’ve never gotten to play in one of those before. I’m excited. I want to make the team and play well. LASN: You’ve already played in a U-17 World Cup – at least a little. Altidore: Yeah, but that’s really introducing you to the real thing. It wasn’t as big as this one is going to be. LASN: Of course, it’s also a big deal to start for the Red Bulls as a teenager – does that make you nervous? Altidore: Not really. Right now I’m just trying to get back in form, coming off the U-20 thing, and just working with my team and getting my timing back. It is a big deal to start for the Red Bulls, but I’m not looking at it like that. I’m just trying to help the team. LASN: The team, of course, has some different players this year. Altidore: It’s changed. Changes are tough, because you get used to some guys and then they leave, but I’m one hundred percent behind Bruce because I know he’s trying to build something better. Whatever he does, I’m behind him. LASN: Are you excited to start this season off with Bruce Arena as your coach? Altidore: Definitely, because you get used to him. You get used to his demeanor and how he acts around the team. It’s nice to have him from the start to the end. LASN: Right now your jersey number perfect, because it’s your age – are you going to score that number of goals to match it? Altidore: It’s good for a year. I might change it to 18 next year. Naw, I’m joking. That’s tough to score that much. It’s always a goal, but that’s tough. Last edited by Brandinho : 16-03-2007 at 07:13 AM.