East Rutherford, N.J. - Jozy Altidore dressed in the same locker room, walked the same route to the field and entered through the tunnel as he normally does at Giants Stadium. But on Saturday, the 17-year-old phenom wasn't with the New York Red Bulls; he was playing with the United States Under-20 National Team in an international friendly contest against Chile.
The match served as a final tune-up for the team, which plays its first game in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup next Saturday against Korea in Montreal. And it served as a sendoff for Altidore, who could be away from his Red Bulls teammates for the next month if the U.S. advances deep in the tournament.
Altidore's life has been in fast forward since the MLS season started. He burst on the scene last year as a rookie, helping the Red Bulls make a late playoff push with a few key goals.
This year, though, Altidore has become the face of the franchise, if not the entire league. When the league was looking for a player to be part of its highly-visible Adidas commercial, they looked to Altidore. He is being tabbed the future of U.S. soccer and has replaced Freddy Adu as the top homegrown marketable player.
On the field, Altidore has done his part. He is third on the Red Bulls scoring list behind red-hot Juan Pablo Angel and the resurgent Clint Mathis. Off the field, he attended his prom and graduated high school.
"I think its tough for a young kid in dealing with what he has to deal with," Red Bulls boss Bruce Arena said. "Not only is there the MLS season and the U-20 team, but people are really eager to make him more than he is right now, which is always tough and we've seen those mistakes in the past."
Realizing Altidore's heavy workload this summer, Arena has been able to pick his spots to rest the forward who was born in Newark, N.J. He says that should allow Altidore to be fresh as he enters the U-20 World Cup.
Altidore and Adu make up a dangerous attacking duo and is a big reason why expectations for the U.S. team are high.
"We've been working a lot," Adu said. "Obviously Jozy is a great player and it makes it a little easier when you have a great player up top because you don't always get all the attention in the world. They have to pay attention to him too and that frees you up somewhat."
They showcased that partnership for the first U.S. goal against Chile Saturday. Altidore certainly looked fresh against Chile Saturday. Using his skill and strength, he outmuscled a Chilean defender and fed Adu for the first goal in the United States' 2-1 win.
"This team doesn't really need many chances," Altidore said of the U.S. team. "We had five or six and we made the most of them. I think we're a team to be reckoned with and we want to show the world we can play definitely."
And if Altidore plays well in Canada, he might garner interest from scouts of some of Europe's top teams. He walked out of Giants Stadium to head back to the U.S. team's hotel in Somerset Saturday, but did he do it for the last time?
As is with every other aspect of his career, Altidore is taking that possibility in stride.
"I'm trying to help my team out first and foremost," Altidore said. "If that does happen, if the team plays well then individuals will shine in that process. I'm just trying to help my team out and the rest will take care of itself."
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