Red Bulls rising
By: Chris | April 28th, 2007Well RB fans, after Thursday’s smash and grab win in Dallas, echoing throughout the league today is confirmation that we can both score and defend in depth. We are now 360 scoreless minutes in to what could prove the defining season of our existence and with the exception of Time Regan’s headless chicken impression, each player seems to implicitly understand their role in a potent counter attack.
While a defender eventually claimed defense claimed the goal, it is hard not to get excited about the team’s one true attacker: Jozy Altidore. Despite failing to score, his workrate, footwork and sheer physical presence proved a handful for Dallas defenders. Equally dangerous whether facing or away from goal, Jozy’s ability to receive and turn with the ball made him the perfect striker to anchor a 4-5-1. In fact, watching his lanky, unorthodox strides and instinctual shooting over the last three games reminded me of another awkwardly brilliant striker has long tormented US defenders.
I am speaking of none other than Paulo Wanchope, a striker all to familiar to US fans, whose strike rate of 45 goals in 68 international appearances places him amongst CONCACAF’s greatest forwards. A consistent scorer for both club and country, Wanchope possesses neither breakneck speed nor dazzling skill and yet he is almost impossible to stop when on form. How?
A decent touch and astute tactical aware are complimented greatly by superb use of his beanpole like frame. You might say it is a bit like marking gumby in the way he twists and turns. My point is however that Altidore, while already much stronger, has displayed a similar mastery of shielding the ball and turning to find space and run at defenders. This ability alone ensures he is able to hold up the ball and create opportunities for himself and others.
Compared to other US forwards like Taylor Twellman and Kenny Cooper, Jozy seems to possess the flair and scoring instinct rarely seen on these shores. Everytime this guy touches the ball, you just feel he is hungry to score- probably because he knows what it is to be hungry.
The product of Haitian immigrants, Jozy grew up in a household where hardship instilled early work ethic. “When I was growing up, they worked so much and sacrificed a lot for me. I didn’t see my mom much for like three or four years because she was always working to help us out. She and my dad worked really hard and I really look up to them. “ he told Kidzworld.com in a recent interview.
And while MLS fought Europe for Freddy Adu’s signature, a 14 year old Altidore he was fighting homesickness for his spot at the IMG academy. By the time he found his way back to NYC, this kid had notched up appearances at the U-17 WC and with the US U-20s and yet his selection in the 2006 MLS superdraft went largely unnoticed.
But despite his rapid rise to prominence, Jozy is still, in many ways, very much a work in progress who has arguably benefited most from Bruce’s policy of bringing in seasoned vets.
In anticipation of JPA’s arrival, it is interesting to note that the team has been scrimmaging in a variety of formations (4-5-1, 3-5-2 and 4-4-2). From what I have seen so far, Jozy has tucked in behind the main front runner in a 4-4-2—often tracking in to midfield to receive and dish off the ball.
My mouth salivates at the prospect of watching this work once Angel and Altidore strike up an understanding. My only concern is that expectations and a long season on will take an inevitable toll on our young star.
Given Mathis’s placement in midfield, it looks as if Bruce may bring in another seasoned forward from within MLS. But with targetmen a limited commodity in MLS, this narrows the pack to a handful of likely choices. More on those in my next post.
Category: CURRENT ROSTER
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