Altidore eyes 2018 Cup, aid for U.S. youth soccer
With two pivotal World Cup qualifiers fast approaching for the U.S. men’s national team, Jozy Altidore’s thoughts are rooted in the present and future of American soccer.
Altidore is set to again lead the attacking line when the USA faces Trinidad and Tobago on June 8 in Denver, followed three days later by a greatly anticipated trip to Mexico’s Estadio Azteca to take on the team’s fiercest rival.
“We know that now is the time to deliver, and we are ready to do that,” Altidore told USA TODAY Sports in a telephone interview.
The USA sits in fourth place in the final CONCACAF qualifying stage with four points and six games remaining. The top three in the pool will gain an automatic World Cup spot, and the fourth will face a playoff against a team from Asia.
“We are moving in the right direction, and we know these next two games are hugely important to what we want to achieve,” he said. “It is an exciting time. We are playing with more freedom and expression, and we are ready to go.”
The USA suffered a frustrating start to this qualifying phase, losing 2-1 at home to Mexico and 4-0 in Costa Rica, results that led to the firing of coach Jurgen Klinsmann. Things quickly improved under Bruce Arena, with a 6-0 victory at home vs. Honduras in March, followed by a hardfought 1-1 tie at Panama.
Yet as much as Altidore knows how key short-term results are to clinch a place in next summer’s World Cup in Russia and thereby continue the sport’s momentum in this country, he also is casting an eye to some of the fundamental issues that might be standing in the way of deeper growth.
Despite solid efforts from U.S. Soccer, the sport remains expensive to play at the junior level in terms of participation fees and equipment. Altidore said as a youngster growing up in Boca Ra- ton, Fla., he received a coaching discount. “Otherwise I would have had to play another sport,” he said.
Along with Bay Area businessman Bejan Esmaili, Altidore is the driving force behind Footymarket.com, a new online soccer marketplace aimed at helping underserved youngsters obtain near-new soccer cleats at reasonable prices. The soccer fashion market has reached a point where the newest cleats retail for up to $300.
“It is very tough for these kids and their parents,” Altidore said. “A young soccer player can have the newest pair of boots and then, before you know it, suddenly it is already outdated.
“As a kid I was outgrowing my shoes so quickly. I would be getting down there with superglue or whatever else to make it fit and work, my dad would find a way, my mom would be stitching them up. I didn’t want to break my parents’ back.
“My parents would get me a good shoe, I would clean them and look after them, but I’d still be growing out of them in no time.”
The Footy Market project encourages parents and children to donate cleats, balls or clothing that are no longer needed through the website or to offer the items at affordable prices. There also are plans to auction off memorabilia, with the proceeds going to soccer-themed charities.
Altidore says for American soccer to take another significant leap, making it easier for struggling families to put their children into the game is a must.
“We are a country that is always growing and learning in soccer,” he said. “If we can make sure these kids have every opportunity to fulfill their potential, then it will benefit the game as a whole and maybe some of these kids can make it all the way.
“We hope this is something that can ease the burden. We hope it can take a load off the parents and eliminate any reason why a young player shouldn’t be comfortable and have every chance to succeed.”
Altidore has long had a strong social conscience. His family originates from Haiti, and he has made trips to that country to provide aid along with musician Wyclef Jean.
On the soccer front, Altidore is desperate to get back to the World Cup after suffering a demoralizing injury in the opening game of the 2014 tournament in Brazil and playing no further part.
“I am itching,” he said. “I missed (most of ) the last one, and I think about it every day. People always talk about the location of a World Cup, is it going to be ready, will it be good? I don’t care. I just want to be there, to play there. And if we can get some results, help the country come together behind the team.”