Josmer Altidore: The Future Of MLS

Filed in archive Players , US Soccer , Video on October 2, 2006

With all the excitement of the Premiership, Soccer-Weblog has sort of forgotten about the uphill struggle that is MLS. Compared to the excitement of good old English footy, the "race for the play-offs" (which eight out of the twelve team qualify for anyway) seemed a bit pointless. Add that to the sorry sight of MLS being played on gridiron marked fields and I hope you can forgive my lack of enthusiasm.

But one kid has caught my eye. 16 year old Josmer Altidore has lit up the New York Red Bulls in the one way that Freddy Adu can't quite manage: goals, and lots of 'em.

In the absence of big name players (I can't get excited about watching Landon Donovan any more) one of the ways for MLS to generate excitement is the promise of youth, particularly if it's American youth that will eventually graduate to the national team.

Click here to see video of Altidore's first goal for New York Red Bulls, from about 30 yards out. (Windows Media Player required, sorry).

There's also a Q&A with Altidore here.