Jozy Altidore is the most highly touted mature American soccer prospect thus far.  He is the first American to command an 8-figure transfer fee.  He has the tools, talent and athleticism to become a goal-scoring force in Europe and for the national team.  We’ve seen glimpses, but as he turns 20 next week, Altidore’s career has yet to materialize.

Months into his second season, Altidore resembles another praised American export, Freddy Adu.  Altidore didn’t catch on during an initial half-season in Spain.  He was loaned to second-division Xerez for playing time and did not make an appearance.  Disillusioned, Villarreal loaned him to Hull City with a permanent option.  Yet to secure a consistent role anywhere, he has scored just one league goal.

Because Altidore isn’t playing frequently, he’s enigmatic.  From the outside, it’s hard to tell why he’s not playing.  Bradley left him on the bench for key qualifiers against Mexico and Honduras, suggesting he’s a liability tactically against better teams.  Even in matches where he’s scored for the U.S., he’s been plagued by periods of anonymity and ineffectiveness.

Some also see Altidore developing “an unhealthy sense of entitlement.”  He’s one of the highest paid players at his current club, Hull City.  He was dropped from the bench last weekend for showing up late.  He then was fined for apologizing to his tweeps and revealing why he was dropped, begging the question why a striker who has scored one goal at top-level needs a verified twitter account?

An integral piece of project 2010, the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida is breeding a new generation of American players.  Though, perhaps more technically gifted, Altidore, Adu, Donovan, Beasley, Johnson and others from this pampered generation have had far less success at top-level abroad than the previous one.

The only U.S. outfield player starting consistently in the top-division in England, Spain or Italy is Clint Dempsey, who notaby was not a Bradenton brat.

Jozy Altidore is only 20.  It’s too early to write him off, but the recent track record of those in his position should not spark optimism.