Position: Forward
Date of Birth: 11/06/1989
Height: 6' 1" Weight: 175 lbs
Pro Team: AZ Alkmaar
Caps: 45
Goals: 13
A highly skillful striker, Bradenton product Altidore burst into Major League Soccer at the age of 16 with RB New York towards the end of the 2006 season, scoring four goals in just five starts. His first league goal was a game-winner against the Columbus Crew. He then became not just the youngest player to appear in an MLS playoff game, but the youngest to score in one as well.
The following season, Altidore continued his prowess by spending much of the season as partner to NY’s Colombian star Juan Pablo Angel, scoring nine goals. He also helped the US U-20 team to a creditable quarter-final finish in the World Cup in Canada, and won his first senior cap when he came on as a substitute in the 1-0 Nelson Mandela Challenge Cup win in South Africa.
On February 6, 2008, Altidore received his first start up front for the senior team, and rewarded Bob Bradley's faith with a bullet header to put the US 2-1 up against Mexico just before half-time. The exhibition game ended 2-2.
Left Major League Soccer for Spain's Villarreal midway through the 2008 MLS Season. A record outgoing transfer for MLS, Altidore brought in reportedly over $10 million dollars. He was loaned to Xerez in February '09 and then to to Hull City in the English Premier League for the 2009-10 season. Hull was relegated at the end of the season with Jozy returning to Villarreal. In January, 2011, he went on loan to Bursaspor. In the summer of 2011, he signed with AZ Alkmaar in Holland's Eredivisie.
"It’s an honor for me to play for the US. There is no feeling like playing for the National Team." from 10 Questions With Jozy Altidore
National Team Experience
2012: Started against Italy on Feb 29th.
2011: Started against Argentina on March 26th. Scored against Canada in the June 7th Gold Cup opener. Converted a penalty against Slovenia on November 15th.
2010: Scored against Turkey in the Sendoff Series. Named to the World Cup squad. Played n all four of the USA's games in South Africa. Scored against Poland in the October 9th friendly.
2009: Brought on as a late substitute against Mexico during the Feb 11th Qualifier. Scored the first goal in the 2-2 draw with El Salvador on March 28th after coming on as a 60th minute substitute. Had a hat-trick on April 1st against Trinidad & Tobago. Key part of the US attack for all five Confederations Cup games, including scoring against Spain in the semifinals. Came on as a sub against Mexico on Aug 12th. Started against Slovakia on Nov 14th and Denmark on the 18th.
2008: Called in to January training camp. Won second cap as a second half substitute in 2-0 friendly win against Sweden. Pulled down in front of goal a few minutes later, he drew the PK from which Landon Donovan scored his record 35th goal for the US. First start against Mexico February 6 in Houston saw him score the second US goal with a fine header in 2-2 exhibition tie.
2007: First senior cap as a sub in 1-0 win in South Africa, November 17. Scored four goals in nine games (eight starts) for the U-20 team, including two goals at the U-20 World Cup in Canada.
2006: Was invited to three U-20 camps.
2005: Five games (two starts) for the U-17 team, including two appearances at the U-17 World Cup.
Professional Experience
2010-11: Spent the first half of the season with Villarreal where he was a regular in Cup games. Loaned to Bursaspor in January, 2011. Joined AZ Alkmaar in Holland on July 15th.
2009: Loaned to Xerez in the Spanish second division after attracting interest from major European clubs during the January transfer window. Loaned to English Premier League club Hull City for the 2009-10 season.
2008: Transferred to Villarreal in Spain's La Liga for a record $10 million dollar transfer fee. Scored his first goal in La Liga on November 1st against Athletic Bilbao and got his first start on November 30th against Recreativo Huelva.
2007: Nine goals and four assists for New York in 24 games overall (17 starts).
2006: Four goals in nine games overall (five starts ) for New York. Youngest to start in an MLS playoff game (0-1 home loss to DC United) and youngest to score in one as well, (1-1 tie at DC United).
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