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[kapwa]

How would u grade the Digicell Cup ?

[Cassa Boubou]

Altidore: the next star?By MICHELLE KAUFMANmkaufman@MiamiHerald.com

yokes One of the most exciting young prospects in the pipeline to the U.S. national team is a Haitian-American teenager who grew up in Coral Springs and Boca Raton. Josmer Altidore, 16, is making a big splash on the U.S. Under-17 team, and last week was drafted by the MetroStars, joining Freddy Adu as the rare high school kid good enough to play with the pros.

''Josi is what you would call a phenom,'' MetroStars general manager Alexi Lalas said by phone last week. ``He has incredible upside, not just his ability, but his personality, too. He has the potential to have as much, if not more, impact than Freddy Adu.

``Of course, we've seen in the past that there are a million things that can derail a young star, but he has the speed, poise and ability to do big things.''

MetroStars coach Mo Johnston, a former MLS forward, said: ``I think Josi is going to become the future of the MetroStars and U.S. Soccer. I am very, very, very happy that we were able to get him at No. 17.''

Altidore has scored 19 goals in 25 games with the Under-17 national team, and his performance at the youth world championship drew raves from MLS scouts. He says once the pro coaches started calling, he decided to pass on college.

''No doubt I want a college education, but soccer-wise, going pro is better for me,'' he said by phone. ``Nothing against college coaches, but the coaching I'll get in MLS and the level of competition is way higher. My mom is a little worried about me skipping college right now, but me and my dad keep telling her it will be fine, and I can get my education later.''

Altidore's parents were born and raised in Haiti, and moved to New Jersey in their early 20s. Josmer was born in New Jersey, the family moved to Coral Springs when he was 3, and later relocated to Boca Raton. His father is a FedEx delivery man, and his mother is a nurse at West Boca Medical Center. Josmer's sister, Sadia, is on soccer scholarship at East Carolina University.

Altidore played for the Boca Juniors youth team, and also at Boca Prep before being invited to the U.S. Under-17 residency program in Bradenton, where he trains and attends school. He is scheduled to graduate in December.

''The biggest task I face is mental,'' Altidore said. ``I know I have the skills to play with these guys, but mentally, there is so much about the game I need to learn. My brain has to become a sponge. I know I'm going to be criticized, but I have to take that as drive to get better and not put too much pressure on myself.''

He said he appreciates every step of his soccer career, particularly because of his heritage.

''I've been to Haiti three or four times, and still have relatives and friends there, and I know how rough things are over there,'' he said. ``I worry whenever they talk on the news about the political turmoil there. I feel very lucky to be in the situation I'm in, and hopefully, I can be a good role model for other Haitian kids.''

yokes

[panoramix]

I'll try to find out more about him.

I think he can still play for Haiti as long as he doesn't play an official game for the senior squad.

[Cassa Boubou]

Panaromix,

You are right on that assessment but I don't think it will happen, specially for a player of his caliber. He has a lot more to gain by playing for the USA. Lately we cant even qualify for the Gold cup, we have nothing to offer a young phenom like him. More exposures, bigger stages, who knows even Europe clubs (Barcelona, Milan) are at his grasp if he plays for the USA. I love Haiti and always will, and I know based upon experience (my own), that players that are playing abroad are not always welcome... EX: Saintus playing in Brazil... Jean Pierre for Nantes and I'm sure we can name a few more..... yokes

Good luck to him on his career and the simple fact of Haiti is being represent is good for me..

[bana2166]

In My opinion

Its to early to tell if the Federation is doing a good job or not because there is too many obstacle to over come and they?re so fare behind.

For example: there is the fact the Haitian National Team has not play an international game over a year. The last time the NT play was Feb 3, 2005 against Guatemala in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and the team lost 2-1.

Second, The Federation just found a sponsor (Digicel) for the first division and they found a Television station (Tele Ginen) too televise 1st Division football games. What about the second division, the National team, and Woman Division ? Where is there sponsor and their television exposure. Maybe I am asking too much.

Third, who is the Coach of the NT and who are the players?

Fourth, are the Clubs going to participate in the CONCACAF Club Tournament in 2007 because the last club too participate was Viollette in 1993 or 1994. The only way for our players to get exposure from scout around North America and Europe is to play in this Club tournament.

Like I said maybe, I am asking too much or the Federation is so fare behind the only positive thing we (Haitian) have too look forward too is the fact they cannot go any further down. The Federation has reach as fare has the bottom as they can reach - The only way is up, only way.

[panoramix]

From where we are coming from, Late 80's until now, the FHF has been doing a good job. The league was running on fumes for many years and we were coming off a very long abscence from the international scene. 4 years ago it was impossible to find that much information about Haitian Football on the web, now it's a lot better. Yes they could be doing better, I agree, but I think we will see some improvement in the coming years.

Despite the lack of fundings and preparations, the Haitian youth teams, U-17 and U-21 have performed well in the past few years. On several occasions they reached the final stage of qualifiers to make it to the World Cup. This means that our youth teams have been performing much better then out last senior team.

This is a good picture, because with Digicel as a sponsor the Haitian league will be far more competitive and the level of play will increase. Haiti's Champion's will participate in the CONCACAF Qualifiers (confirmed) which means that winning the series have become more valuable. The clubs now have bigger incentives to raise their perferomance.

I strongly agree with you about contracting an experienced coach for at least 3 years for the national team, we can't wait 3 months before the world cup to bring in someone like Clavijo and Castelli. Qualifying for the next Gold Cup is the first step towards World Cup 2010. It's also important to keep in mind that although Haitians are very talented physically, we still need to iron out our organizational structure and mental preparation.

[panoramix]

Kapwa, what did you do to the original poll?

[FlashEP]

I think the CFU is doing a great job advertising this competition, especially this year (http://www.digicelfootball.com/en/). This is a good chance for the Haitian international team to play with some of the stronger teams in the Caribbean including Jamaica(defending Digicel Cup champions), Cuba (now ranked #69 in the world), and Trinidad & Tobago (Digicel Cup hosts and highest rated team). I like Haiti's chances for a couple reasons....

1, Alot of Haiti's international players overseas will be coming back for the competition including Jean Jacques Pierre, Fabrice Noel, and many others playing Europe, North and South America.

2, The Haitian Diaspora Team (http://www.haitifoot.com/nonos_team.php) has been playing very well after a 3-0 blowout win against Soca Warriors USA, and they play today against USL Champions Montreal Impact in Canada so they're doing great things. Well probably see some Diaspora Team players, such as Roody Lormera and Wyn Belotte, selected to play for the national team before they head to Jamaica.

And third and finally, the Haitian Première league is doing a great job with their players. Some would argue that it could be 1 of the best leagues in the Caribbean. Alot of the Haitian national team stars such as Eliphène Cadet, Peter Germain, and 15 year old wonder kid Joseph Peterson (2006 CFU Youth Cup MVP) are among the players in the league. Alot of Haitian players overseas have also opted to come back to the league including Alexandre Boucicaut, once with the Chicago Fire in the MLS but opted to sign with ASC in the Haitian League.

The league has gotten quicker, stronger, and more Latin American players are coming in to the league to ply their trade. Aigle Noir and Baltimore SC will be competing in the upcoming Caribbean Zone qualifiers for the Champions Cup.

Last friday Carlo Marcelin, the national team coach, elected to use all Haitian league players for the first game in Haiti's 2 exhibition matches with the Dominican Republic in St.Marc, Haiti. Haiti won 3-1 including a good looking goal by ASC superstar Eliphène Cadet in 90' stoppage time, the second game in Stade Sylvio Cator is today. The more players that Carlo Marcelin will have to choose from (Overseas, Diaspora Team, Première league) the better i think the team will do in the Digicel Cup.