Jozy Shows Why

For a full 90 minutes last night in Houston Texas, an 18 year old American by the name of Josmer Altidore pushed, pulled, and physically dominated the Mexican National Team’s defense in front of 70,000 screaming soccer fans. An experience and a feeling that will always ring true in the memories and myths of US Soccer’s past.

In his first ever start for the USA National Team, Jozy Altidore showed everybody why there has been so much clout surrounding his name for the past two years. All of his time spent as a youngster in the Bradenton Academy, all of his goals for Red Bull New York, and all of his spectacular performances for the youth national teams, all culminated in one moment.

That moment came in the 40th minute of Wednesday night’s renewal of the biggest rivalry in CONCACAF. You know the history, USA vs. Mexico. It is something that language lends no help to describing. It is something only felt by a burning passion deep in your belly for the success of your nation to come out on top. It is something Jozy Altidore most certainly felt when Bob Bradley called his name in the starting xi last night.

Scoring had taken place before hand. Oguchi Onyewu started the festivities in the 30th minute with a tremendous far post header that came off of a broken play created by his previous long throw. Johnny Magallon answered just five minutes later with a terrific volley finish off of a bending free kick by Pavel Pardo. But all of that will be minute detail in the wake of the first chapter of Jozy Altidore’s USA history.

The USA was struggling for ball control, and although there young prodigy Jozy Altidore was clearly up to the task of out working and overpowering his Mexican counterparts, the service was not currently available, and the refs were soft. Jozy was whistled for a foul trying to track down a dangerous long ball that could have lead to the moment. But alas, as the soccer god’s aligned, the moment would come yet.

It is difficult to describe exact lead-up to the play, but it is all relative mush in the history books at this point. Drew Moor found the ball on the right wing, and quickly swerved in an early cross towards the middle of the box. Mexican defenders were there, but they weren’t really. Their presence could be seen on the television screen, but not felt by Jozy. The tall powerful body rose above all, and without a chance to think, blasted a streamline header into the lower right corner of the net.

A face of amazement. Excitement. A kiss of the badge. A sprint to the fans. A triumphant raise of the arms, embracing his Americans. All signifying that Jozy Altidore had arrived on US Soccer’s biggest stage and intended to stay there for a very long time.