By IVES GALARCEP
SANDY, Utah– How does a player who has scored more than 50 goals for his club team over the course of two years become a forward that national team fans lose faith in?
That question relates to Jozy Altidore, or at least it did before he obliterated concerns about his U.S. Men’s National Team effectiveness by scoring in four consecutive USMNT matches. Suddenly the question has gone from “Why can’t Jozy score for the national team” to “Can anybody stop Jozy from scoring for the national team?”
It really isn’t a great mystery as to why Altidore has replaced a goal drought with a goal deluge, and it isn’t about any transformational experience, or any of the mind games Jurgen Klinsmann has played in his attempt to push and prod and cajole Altidore into being the player Klinsmann wants him to be. No, Altidore is scoring for two reasons. The first is he’s riding a wave of confident form after a 31-goal season for AZ Alkmaar.
More important, Altidore is finally receiving steady service after starving for national team service for the better part of two years.
“I think the teammates have done a better job of creating chances for him,” said Clint Dempsey. “He’s been doing a good job with the chances that he gets in the game, he’s finishing them off.
“He’s been great for us and it’s been important to have another player chipping in with those goals and be able to make it difficult for our opponents because they have to watch more players,” Dempsey added. “We have more threats, and when you have more threats you’re able to get more goals and open up space for other people.”
Soccer Wednesday: Your Running Commentary
By DAN KARELL
After a recent rare day of no soccer, the Confederations Cup kicks back into action on Wednesday afternoon with two high-profile matchups.
Brazil face a beleaguered Mexico side in the Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza in the first match of the day. El Tri kept the game close during their last match against Italy until the strength of Mario Balotelli proved the difference. Against Brazil, they’ll once more have to face an impressive combination of speed (Neymar, Dani Alves, Oscar) and strength (Fred, Hulk, Thiago Silva). The game is a re-match of last year’s Olympics tournament final, which Mexico won, 2-1.
In the second match of the day, Italy faces Japan in the Arena Pernambuco in Recifi. A win for the Italians will almost qualify them for the knockout round of the competition, while the Japanese squad will need three points to keep their hopes alive.
If you will be watching today’s action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Today’s TV schedule is after the jump):
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