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Teen star gives NYRed Bulls boost: Josmer Altidore

July 26, 2007

With his strapping physique and disarming charisma, it is easy to forget that Red Bull striker Jozy Altidore is still just 17.

Coach Bruce Arena, however, is one man that has every reason to be conscious of his young striker's age.

When Altidore turns 18 on Nov. 6, he will be officially eligible to sign with a foreign club. And when that day comes, Arena may very well lose the young man he has come to count on.

After announcing his arrival as a 16-year-old rookie last September with a match-winning 30-yard wonder-strike against Columbus, Altidore has emerged as the most exciting and desirable prospect in American soccer.

The native of Boca Raton, Fl., whose Haitian parents raised him in Livingston, N.J., has further increased his stock this year, recording three goals and four assists for the Red Bulls entering Thursday night's match against Chivas USA (7 p.m., ESPN2) while netting four goals for the USA at the U-20 World Cup in Canada.

But while European clubs are expected to clamor for Altidore's signature this fall, the teenager has remained mostly quiet about his international aspirations.

"I don't pay too much attention to that stuff, and I don¹t want to rush anything," he said after assisting on the winning goal against D.C. United at Giants Stadium on Sunday.

"But if it's the right timing and the right team, then I¹ll definitely take a look at it."

Besides his devastating right foot, Altidore has shown great top speed, a strong aerial game and a deceptively crafty touch. With a 6-foot-1 frame, he has also responded well to the physical nature of MLS soccer.

Arena, for his part, has tried to manage the nearly insuppressible hype around the teenager. With the arrival of 31-year-old Colombian star Juan Pablo Angel, Arena has been able to limit Altidore's minutes and remove him as the constant focal point of the offense in an effort to avert the burnout and overexposure than can befall young players.

"I see myself as an energy type player, and if the team needs me off the bench I have no problem with that," Altidore said.

"I'm ready to help in any way I can."

For now, Altidore will focus on helping the Red Bulls -- who have lost in the first round five times and missed the playoffs altogether once since 2001 -- regain the scintillating form that kept them top of the Eastern Conference table through April and May before a recent slump dropped them to 8-6-3.

In Sunday's 1-0 victory, Altidore played the full 90 minutes in the absence of Angel, who was serving a one-game red card suspension, and set up John Wolyniec for the game's only goal.

"Our goal in the second half of the season is to get into the playoffs and bring some hardware here," Altidore said.

"We have a pretty good team here that I think is capable of doing some special things."