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Young Haitian-American Josmer Altidore making impact with New York Red Bulls

EAST RUTHERFORD -- It was hard to find the true 16-year-old as Red Bull New York wrapped up Thursday's practice with field goals.

Red Bulls equipment manager Craig Chmiel provides New York Giants kicker Jay Feely with soccer shoes, and in return he occasionally stops by and lightens up the mood. Midfielder Dema Kovalenko took to kicking immediately, even making a 40-yarder, then joking that it's much easier without a helmet, because they're "so heavy. It goes in your eyes. They don't fit me." Injured French midfielders Youri Djorkaeff and Elie Ikangu also worked on their NFL moves, catching passes with defensive midfielder Danny O'Rourke and assistant coach Richie Williams.

Striker Josmer Altidore, who is actually 16, kept practicing his shots on goal for a while, getting ready for the Red Bulls' trip to Colorado (9 p.m., MSG). When no more teammates were willing to stand in the net, he grabbed a football and did his best Donovan McNabb impersonation.

"I'm trying to relax and play, no pressure," said Altidore, who is listed at 5-foot-10 but has grown to over 6 feet since he was drafted in January. "Yeah, we have two games to make the playoffs, but we've got to eliminate the pressure, just relax and play. ... You've got to take it, cope with it, let it soften, and you've got to play."

Born in Livingston, Altidore moved to Coral Springs, Fla., with his parents, Joseph and Gisele, and older siblings, Janak, Lindsey and Sadia, when he was 2 years old. The family relocated to Boca Raton four years later.

Part of the Boca Prep varsity when he was in seventh grade, Altidore was called into residency in Jan. 2004. He had 19 goals and four assists in 25 matches with the U-17s in '05.

Drafted No. 17 overall in the second round, Altidore attended the Red Bulls' season opener in Washington D.C., as well as the home opener. Haitian-born singer Wyclef Jean wore his No. 17 jersey during his halftime performance with Shakira at Giants Stadium. But Altidore spent much of the spring back in Florida, attending school. He was also called into the U-20 national team for the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland, and the Four Nations Tournament in Busan, South Korea.

Altidore has played 533 minutes in eight matches with the U-20s this year, scoring twice.

"I had to go to the Academy, which was a great place to train, but you play with kids, 15, 16, 17," he said. "I would come here every other week and train with guys like this. The pace is a lot quicker. It was hard to adapt at first."

Altidore made his Red Bulls debut at New England on Sept. 9, playing the final nine minutes of the 1-0 loss. He was in for 16 minutes in the next match, against Columbus. Altidore subbed in in the 74th minute, and scored the winning goal just nine minutes later.

At 16 years, 314 days, Altidore is the fourth-youngest player to score in a Major League Soccer match. He is currently the youngest player in MLS, turning 17 on Nov. 6.

"I thought I was daydreaming for a second, honestly," he said of his first professional goal. "I heard the crowd roar. I was like, 'Oh, shoot, that was me.'"

Altidore played 31 minutes in another loss to New England a week later, then scored his second pro goal in the Red Bulls' 4-3 loss to D.C. United on Sept. 23. He earned his first start last Saturday against Chicago, where he notched his second game-winning goal in the 60th minute.

"He's proof that once you get on the soccer field, it all goes away, and you're just playing the game that you love," rookie defender Marvell Wynne said. "Pressure doesn't bother him. He comes out, plays his best, gets goals and wins us games."

Altidore lives in a Secaucus hotel with his mother, Gisele, who drives him to practice and matches. His father, Joseph, sometimes flies up from Florida to watch Red Bulls matches.

"He's lucky," Altidore said. "Every time he comes, I get to score. He gets to see it."

The family is planning to find a permanent place to live in New Jersey next season, after Altidore graduates from his accelerated courses at Boca Prep in December. Altidore also hopes to earn his learner's permit in Florida, where "it's easier."

To his friends back home, Altidore is "a soccer player who left to go try his luck."Asked what he wants to be when he grows up, Altidore paused for a long moment, then chuckled as if he suddenly realized how much farther he still has to go.

"After soccer?" he said. "I plan to play soccer for a little bit. After that, I want to be an engineer, electronics. I want to try to go to college. The dream's not over yet. It's just the beginning."