An ode to Jozy Altidore

February 7th, 2008 | Posted by PostmanE

Thanks to Duke-UNC last night — Duke continues to look impressive, but let’s see a rematch when Ty Lawson is allowed to be on the floor — most people probably didn’t see the U.S.’ spirited but sloppy friendly against Mexico, a 2-2 tie. The game was disorganized and ugly, though, if not for a phantom call against Clint Dempsey on a beautiful go-ahead goal, the U.S. would likely have won. Still, by flipping to the England-Switzerland match immediately after, the US.’ sloppiness became all the more evident. It was not a pretty night.

But there was one overwhelming bright spot: Jozy Altidore. The 18-year-old from the New York Red Bulls wasn’t perfect, but he showed exactly what the U.S. have lacked for so long up front: Size and speed, and the opportunism needed to finish contested chances in the box. (It also showed why Altidore isn’t going to last in the MLS for very long.)

With Altidore, a seemingly improved Freddy Adu, Benny Feilhaber, and the U.S.’ usuals, World Cup qualifiying should be, at the very least, entertaining. I know it’s soccer, but come on: It’s exciting stuff. It really is. And it beats getting yelled at by Dick Vitale for two hours. Win-win.