Regardless, considering Jozy just played one of his finest games at striker for the USMNT versus Costa Rica followed by a sub appearance for Hull that was very strong, I think you are way off-base here.

Jozy is big, physical, has a lot of skill but is a little lacking in touch right now. His game really isn’t suited for La Liga.

Transferring to the EPL / Hull was a great thing for Jozy (and the USMNT). He scored in his first game at Hull. If you watched the last 20 minutes he played (as a sub) for Hull, he clearly has improved. Did I expect Jozy to get more run at Hull than he has?…absolutely. But when he does get on the pitch he proves he belongs most of the time.

As for his national career, Jozy is progressing just fine. He scored the first goal versus #1 ranked Spain in the Confed Cup win in true Drogba-style with a post-up, wheel and deal. Scored versus El Salvador in the WC qualifier in September and then played a fine game at RFK earlier this month. And now he is the #1 striker going into the WC for the winners of CONCACAF.

He didn’t play at Azteca because he wasn’t fit having had work permit issues getting to Hull. Bradley also prefers to go with veterans target forwards on the road for his long-ball counter-attacking strategy.

Jozy isn’t a lock to be an all-time great, but showing up late and tweeting about it doesn’t suggest that he is on the road to ruin either.

Duffy, you make good points, but take this post back down, save it and then repost it in 3 years if he’s fallen flat on his face by that time. He’s still way way too young to know for sure. He definitely seems to have some maturity issues, but the early 20s are a huge time for growth in any person. I think his best soccer is still ahead of time.

If you can’t establish yourself at age 20 in a European environment, they’re not waiting til you’re 23. They’ll find someone who can produce right then. Few clubs can afford to play the waiting game for talent to emerge (Arsenal, ManU, Barca, etc). The rest are in a scrap to win immediately.

This situation is worrying because he’s failed to impress three teams in the last year or so. He’s running out of time to impress, particularly with his salary.

For especially the Paolo Haters I have not been on as much for a few days and won’t be until sometime next week, so enjoy the slow down in my presence here as I head out of town and will be on much less all the same.

If I knew what this meant, I would comment further..

Duffy, I think it is too early to tell becuase of his age and lack of playing time. The lack of playing time is concerning, but he has years of game left in him. He’s very physically talented- that you can’t teach.

Shouldn’t Grant Wahl or Ives Galarcep be asking these sort of questions for us? Is there anyone in the American media who covers Euro clubs who has any sort of access?

European clubs don’t allow nearly the access we are accustomed to in American sports. They get a press conference once a week, rather than every day access to training.

Most of the coverage of soccer outside this country by American writers is based from European news reports out of necessity. It’s only recently that Wahl started going to every USMNT qualifier, let alone popping off to England to have a look at Jozy.

Somebody has taken Paolo to a reeducation camp.

From the outside, it’s hard to tell why he’s not playing.

Shouldn’t Grant Wahl or Ives Galarcep be asking these sort of questions for us? Is there anyone in the American media who covers Euro clubs who has any sort of access?

I may be a dick, but there’s nothing in this post that would indicate that.

Those of you following this blog for some time know I am consistently at very high and vocal odds with Duffy for a number of reasons.

However, his contribution especially to American coverage of global soccer is as fine as you will find from an American on the internet and excellent overall irrespective of nationality. He also had a fine post on Ali vs. Holmes a few days ago on which I was unable to comment due to computer and connectivity issues.

Anyway, his contribution is why he is Captain Duffy.

For especially the Paolo Haters I have not been on as much for a few days and won’t be until sometime next week, so enjoy the slow down in my presence here as I head out of town and will be on much less all the same.

Is It Too Early To Start Questioning Jozy Altidore?

no way. I have a question for him that will clear up a lot. who are you?

Why do I keep drinking soda while reading the comments?

/wipes off monitor and keyboard for the umpteenth time

You can’t argue with perception no matter how unmerited.