Jozy Altidore Bio Send To Friend  

At just 18, Altidore became the youngest player to score for the U.S. in the modern era when he put up his first goal for the full team against Mexico during a 2-2 draw Feb. 6, 2008.

2009 has been a year of highlights for Altidore. On April 1, the striker became the youngest U.S. player to record a hat trick in a 3-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago. He also scored the first goal in the U.S.'s 2-0 upset over Spain at the Confederations Cup on June 24.

Altidore made his pro debut for the Red Bulls on Aug. 23, 2006, as a sub in a 3-1 U.S. Open Cup loss to D.C. United. He was still only 16 when he scored his first goal on Sept. 13, 2006, against Columbus. Altidore scored again only a week after Columbus against D.C. United. He scored the Red Bulls' only goal of their 2-1 aggregate loss to D.C. United in the Eastern Conference semifinals in '06. With that strike, he became the youngest player to score in the playoffs at 16 years, 337 days (breaking DaMarcus Beasley's record by almost three years). Altidore also became the youngest player to start in an MLS playoff match on Oct. 21 of that same year against D.C. United (16 years, 349 days).

After two-plus years with the Red Bulls, La Liga's Villarreal agreed with MLS and the Red Bulls to sign Altidore for about $10 million on June 4, 2008. He made his La Liga debut as a second-half substitute against Deportivo La Coruna on Nov. 1, 2008, and became the first American international to score in La Liga when he came on in the 90th minute and scored against Athletic Bilbao.

On Jan. 30, 2009, Villarreal loaned him to Xerex in Spain's second division. He would be loaned to Hull City on Aug. 5, 2009. On Aug. 25, Altidore scored his first goal for Hull City in a 3-1 win over Southend United in the second round of the Football League Cup.

What makes Altidore so intriguing is that he's still developing. And the U.S. hopes his real coming-out party happens in South Africa.

Strengths: His speed, power, athleticism and finishing ability.

Weaknesses: Could work on his defending.

Career high: The hat trick against Trinidad and Tobago.

Career low: True or not, the fact that his desire was questioned during his final days in the MLS.

Style: Is flashy and fun to watch.

Quote: "Clint Dempsey gave me a great pass for the first goal, and I'm a big boy so I was able to hold the defender off. This was not the first game we've shown our quality as a team. We try to get better all the time. We're not nervous at all about going into the final. We're excited to be there and to have another chance to show what we can do." -- after the U.S. upset Spain in the Confederations Cup.

Trivia: Altidore's parents, Joseph and Giselle, were both born in Haiti. Jozy has done charitable work in the country.

Soccernet says: A star is born? Altidore could play that role in South Africa if he keeps playing like this. That might be a bit much pressure, but coach Bob Bradley is lucky to have Altidore on the roster.