Red Bulls nearly lost Altidore to Reading

SBI EXCLUSIVE

Lost in the commotion surrounding the European transfer of Eddie Johnson and the failed transfer move by Brad Guzan was a transfer bid that stayed under the radar and nearly became the biggest story of the MLS off-season.

Red Bulls and U.S. national team forward Jozy Altidore almost transferred to English club Reading. The  bid was one of the best kept secrets secrets of January and Altidore came close to joining fellow Americans Marcus Hahnemann and Bobby Convey at the club.

"I've heard a lot about the club and it was an up and coming club that was interested in me," Altidore said. "It looked like it was something that was going to be a good idea for me but the Red Bulls are where I'm going to be.

"This is where my home is going to be right now," Altidore said. "I'm committed to the team and I'm not even worried about what happened."

According to sources, Reading had been scouting Altidore for more than two years and made a serious bid, which Altidore was strongly considering. Reading's inability to sell one of it's players during the transfer window may have caused the potential deal to fall apart.

Currently in 17th place in the English Premier League, one point out of the relegation zone, Reading had targeted Altidore to help the club's struggling offense, which has been shut out in four straight matches. Reading is currently on a nine-match winless streak (0-8-1).

So why did Altidore consider Reading? The chance to play right away in the English Premier League, as opposed to going to a bigger club and not playing much, was appealing, as well as the fact that Reading had been following Altidore closely for years.

Altidore is expected to be a major transfer target again this summer (He also received serious interest from Real Madrid this winter) but the chances of a Reading deal appear remote.

"It was a whole process and it just didn't work out,' Altidore said of his talks with Reading. "I'm still happy to be with New York because I've watched this team since I was growing up.

"This is the team I wanted to play for in the beginning and the team I'm playing for now and I wouldn't have it any other way."

Comments

[quakes fan]

Wow. Interesting development. With Altidore's pedigree I would have thought a bigger club would come calling. Like Fulham, Reading is near the relegation zone so I think the choice to stay with Redbull (at least until the summer) was a good one.

[Tim Archer]

Probably couldn't have gotten a work permit anyways, but man, I can't believe that never leaked out anywhere.

[Dannyc58]

Reading? Are you kidding me. Holy Crap that would have been awful.

[Dannyc58]

Dude, we go from Real Madrid to Reading?

I want to vomit.

[Tom in Newark]

I respect Coppell as a manager; but I'm glad it didn't happen. Jozy should have his sights set a little higher.

[Metzeng]

Wow. Ives, doesn't it seem unlikely that the Red Bulls will sell Altidore mid-season? I think he's hear for 2008 and goes somewhere next winter.

[Haig]

The money must have been really, really good.

And I'm certain there would have been a high sell-on clause.

I don't want Jozy to leave until we win a championship, but I wonder if he'll even finish the '08 season in a NY shirt. And one thing about Reading: he would start from his arrival, which wouldn't happen at a bigger club.

[Postmaster]

"Reading's inability to sell one of it's players during the transfer window may have caused the potential deal to fall apart."

That would probably be out-of-favor 4th striker Leroy Lita. However, I believe that there were bids for him late in the window.

It's a tough season for Reading and they have now truly dropped into a relegation battle. As much as I hope they (and Fulham) can battle to safety, perhaps this wouldn't have been the best move for Jozy at this time.

[Dannyc58]

I can't get over this, honestly. Our brighest start taht we've ever produced (arguably), and he was set to go to f***ing Reading? This is humiliating.

Mexico has youngsters starting for Barca & signed my Arsenal (Vela), and our 18 year old stud is going to a poor English Team.

WTF was everyone that cares about Jozy thinking. Wow, I'm furious over this!

[smokarz]

wasn't osrio looking to bring in an additional forward? that would be a strong indication that jozy could be on the move by summer.

[Tony in Quakeland]

Reading? Pass

[Jay Slick]

"I've heard a lot about the club and it was an up and coming club that was interested in me,"

and

Currently in 17th place in the English Premier League, one point out of the relegation zone, Reading had targeted Altidore to help the club's struggling offense, which has been shut out in four straight matches. Reading is currently on a nine-match winless streak (0-8-1).

Ok Reading is no up and comer. they are terrible. and they are boring. and they would ruin jozy, let him rot and pull a derby. By the time Jozy was match fit, Reading would be out of it and relagation zone.

[Johnny]

HEY EVERYBODY! I LIKE THE MOVE! HE WOULD HAVE PLAYED! A struggling team in the PL is better than a struggling team in the MLS! Oh well!

[paul Lorinczi]

Our players need to quit going to bottom dwelling clubs. At minimum, they should be playing in mid-level clubs.

A young player like Altidore should be in the Dutch league or French league or follow Freddy into Portugal. Develop his game in Europe, then transfer to a big club. Kind of what Michael Bradley is doing. That is the career path.

Going to a low level EPL team is not the avenue to go. Look at Benny. He should have went to another league to play or stay at Hamburg and fight for his spot. Look at guys like Essien and Rosicky. They played well in lower leagues and got the attention of big teams in their early 20s - not 18.

Our talented players should consider the same path.

[jpc]

Dont go to the EPL. Its death for young foreign players that need a lot of development. Go to Holland,Spain or even Benfica w/ adu

[chicago millonario]

Agree with jpc, he should go anywhere but the BPL. Spain or Portugal, please.

[Furniture Music]

Whew.. Thank God... He probably won't have been granted a work permit anyway as he hasn't played enough with the senior Nats....

[Furniture Music]

last post should have read "wouldn't have bee"n

[Richard]

"I'm still happy to be with New York because I've watched this team since I was growing up. "This is the team I wanted to play for in the beginning and the team I'm playing for now and I wouldn't have it any other way."

THAT'S the way it's supposed to be. Jozy Altidore is the poster child for MLS, and they barely know it.

Also - this kid has an inherent knack for saying the right things.

[Dominghosa]

WOW. That would have been a huge story if it happened. I really wouldn't have minded too much if he did go to Reading. First team action in one of the world's top 3 leagues isn't bad.
But yes, staying in NY was a good choice. He will keep building his resume in MLS and the international matches and develop more. Thus, creating more buzz and most likely being sold to a Euro team with better facilities and a better player development model than Reading.

[Haig]

"than a struggling team in the MLS"

RBNY aren't great or anything, but they're far from struggling. As a lower playoff seed for five years running, they fit the textbook definition of "mid-table."

[Bill]

I would perfer to see Jozy move to a similar sized club as Reading in Series A or La Liga. Maybe even a move to the Netherlands a la Michael Bradley. My interest stem from the national team, and I think they need more creative attacking players. And I think that style of play would be fostered in those leagues as opposed to the EPL.

[Matt]

no idea on the amount of the transfer offer?

Actually I've seen Reading a lot this year, could have been a brilliant move for Altidore - they have a team in place but lack quality up top. And Reading are committed to attacking soccer, he'd have had support and service.

Bradley would be a better fit for them though. Last year they made a push for the UEFA Cup, the only difference this year is the loss of Sidwell to Chelsea and their lack of a player who can create goal scoring chances (they need better finishing, but needed better finishing last year as well).

Absolutely no comparison to the situation in Derby.

[Bill]

I would prefer to see Jozy move to a similar sized club as Reading in Series A or La Liga. Maybe even a move to the Netherlands a la Michael Bradley. My interests stem from the national team, and I think they need more creative attacking players. And I think that style of play would be fostered in those leagues as opposed to the EPL.

[northzax]

This actually could have been a great move for Jozy (and not just because I am a Reading fan) the team has good service and no finishing. He could have made an impact right away, helped 'save the club' from relegation, and moved onwards and upwards this summer. or be sold out of the CCC next season if they dropped (and let's be realistic here, a season playing full out in the CCC beats a season in MLS hands down. Yes, a couple of teams in MLS could thrive in the CCC, but overall, the competition is better over the course of a season.) would it be great to have him starting for a major club? sure, but come on people, he's not that good yet.

[East River]

Wow I am still in shock from reading this head line, because usually there are reports from across the pond. But I'm not shocked that Red Bull would entertain a transfer as his contract expires at the end of 08, NYRB would miss out on any tranfer fees if they fail to sell him before then. Not that they need the money as a company but still why loose money when you get make some? Still you had to have a clue when Osorio stated after the window closed that he was looking for forwards that something was up regarding Jozy future.

I hope Jozy is not fixated on clubs in England as they are awful places to develop your game. You really need to be sent somewhere in Europe like Arsenal did for Vela or Man U did to Rossi both being sent to lower division teams in other countries for invaluable 1st team experience.

[chesterton chris]

osasuna - vela -16th place spain - starter
barca - dos santos - 2nd place spain - spot player
deportivo - guardado - 17th place spain - starter

reading - altidore - 17th place england - starter

would have been about right. i think you guys over value unproven 18 year olds. it's good to be patriotic, but be realistic. he's fine where he's at. even if rbny was given 20 million over the summer for him to sit on the bench for a big club, if i was him i'd pass and take the starters minutes in a big league on a lower level team.

[Haig]

American Reading or Fulham fans circa 2008 = American Wolfsburg fans circa 1997

Where are all those green shirts now?

[Byron]

This would have been a great move for Jozy. The league compliments his style of play. Coppell is a great manager. They almost qualified for the Uefa Cup in their first season in the EPL. The problem this year is that they didn't go out and spend money last summer. Sure would beat riding the pine for a bigger club.

[Chad]

Glad that didn't happen... The EPL is the show and I don't think Jozy is ready for that yet. He still needs to develop. Real Madrid or Holland is where he should be IMO.

[Dannyc58]

Readings problem is they can't stop a Powder Puff team with that back 4, Reading score enough goals.

[MikeinSD]

smokarz

I was thinking the same thing. Depending on the quality of the striker brought in and how the club is doing we could very well see Jozy move during the summer window.

If they are in the hunt and both strikers are good then i think they wait. If they are out of the race and the other striker is good then he goes.

BTW. I don't mind a move to Reading. The kid is 18 and in a few years could move to a bigger club.

[Modibo]

Haig's got a point here - RBNY isn't exactly an MLS dynasty.

At the same time, this wouldn't be any smash story internationally - it would be packaged with the Johnson transfer to Fulham in the way Martin Rogers wrote about it on Yahoo. "MLS is a good place for relegation-bound clubs to stock up on young talent." And I'm sorry, part of it is because of the limited exposure to OTHER leagues that we get here - Ligue 1, Eredivisie, even the Bundesliga - in part because of the language barrier. Hell, that's a reason most US soccer fans (myself included) know more about leagues 5000 miles away than they do the ones immediately south of the border or even in S America (granted some of those are as far as Europe depending on where you live in the US. I wonder what role the various handlers and sponsor toadies have in directing these players to leagues that you can get on cable in North America, to ensure they get the maximum value from their investments.

So what? Well, good for Altidore for not jumping on this, good for MLS for keeping him around, and let's hope he can find a club that will really develop his natural talents, wherever it is.

[NateinSF]

Do people really believe that Real Madrid would be a better starting point in his career than Reading? I disagree, I think he needs to play and not sit the bench.

Real Madrid is not known for their patience with young players. While Reading may be a bottom tier EPL side, I would prefer to see him go there over Real Madrid.

Holland or Portugal make more sense than either option stated above, but RM would probably be the WORST possible desicion

[Mark (Reading Fan)]

Absolutely gutted!! :(

I expect the player we failed to shift was Leroy Lita

[kpugs]

I suppose all of you ridiculous crazies think Jozy would walk in to the first team at Manchester United or Internazionale?

You are all being absolutely ridiculous, do you watch the Premiership? If a player like Jozy is going to go to Europe NOW, there is NO WAY IN HELL he should go to a megaclub. He's 18. You are all nuts.

So nuts, in fact, that I can't believe I am even typing this post! That is how anyone is who says he should be looking to go to a bigger club.

NateinSF...couldn't agree more. These people are frigging crazy.

[Dannyc58]

Reading are 12th in Goals scored 2 behind Man City & Blackburn who have 32.

Their scoring is not the issue--at all.

[hoya]

Above all I think he needs one more year in MLS. Hel be an everyday starter for the first time and hel get the chance to justify the hype, earn an even bigger transfer fee and develop a little more. When he does go I would absolutely love to see him at Benfica. Altidore and Adu make up the future of the USMNT attack and to have them play together would be great. Obviously this is closer to a pipe dream than possible reality so more realisticly I just dont want him in the EPL or at Real Madrid. He needs to play and he needs to stay away from England.

[Dannyc58]

kpugs,

Reading are going down. And the Premiereship isn't a good place to develop--if you watch the EPL, you know that. Spanish or Dutch leagues are far and away the best for developing.

If you told me this was anyone in a relegation battle, I'd say its crazy--and it is.

Learning his trade in the CCC, yeah thats the ticket!

[chatnoir]

I think that the expectations are getting a little too far above the play of the players.

While Altidore has shown flashes of brilliance, he is not yet ready for the big leagues, so no reason not to play for a smaller euro team.

Reading had a decent season last year and would be a big step up from NY.

Wouldn't be ideal, given the rough play in England, but would develop him a lot more than playing 1 more year for RBNY

[Dannyc58]

I suppose some of the argument is how much you want Jozy to develop.

Do you want him having mid-table wingers serving mid table crosses into the box and Jozy fighting to get his head on them. (this wouldn't be the style for all the teams in the Prem, but most). Or do you want him to gain more technical ability and confidence?

Is Reading a step up from RBNY in competition? Unquestionably.

Would his skills develop better/more quickly in the EPL on a TEAM LIKE READING?

I don't see how they could, really.

[inkedAG]

I agree with most of Dannyc58's comments. I'm so glad that he didn't go to Reading.

[Dannyc58]

I'm a West Ham fan, and while he'd EASILY improve our front line, I think it'd be a huge mistake to go there too.

If you want the kid to fulfil his potential its either gotta be a TOP EPL team, or basically a top half team from France, Netherland, or Spain. Of course Italy and/or Germany too.

Its not like its a secret that tactically the Prem is HIGHLY lacking (my favorite league in the world, keep in mind).

[nelson]

i think that altidore should go to a top tier dutch team, like ajax or feynoord (sp.

in the dutch league he would tally like 20 goals im sure by seasons end and then he will have all the confidence he needs to be a big game player.

then he will get some serious offers by teams of a higher calibur, like everton or maybe blackburn, where he could seriously be considered a starter as soon as he came in.

whatever the case, its important he not sit on the bench.

Good players can sign for relavely bad teams, and its the better choice than signing for a team to sit on their bench.

[Dannyc58]

Where is Tony in Quakeland, I bet he has a similar take to me! I need his backup!

[sdott47a]

Couple points based on earlier comments:

1) Many people think of lower-level EPL teams as "below" the standard of our best American players. Let me just point out that Clint Dempsey, the best American field player (ie, non-goalie) is currently playing forward for a team doomed for relegation. And I thnk it's doing him good to be there and playing every game. He is making a name for himself that he wouldn't by sitting and watching at ManU, Arsenal or Pool.

2) Someone called Red Bull NY a "mid-table" team based on the fact they make the playoffs. Just want to point out that practically everyone in MLS makes the playoffs.

[BK]

Danny, I'll come to your defense.

I've watched plenty of Reading games and I definitely don't think Jozy would have benefited from moving there. He almost has to go to another league altogether. The mid-table teams in England aren't tactically sound. They play a lot of kick and run and they don't provide the greatest service. Hell, even Liverpool doesn't provide the greatest service. Jermaine Pennant, anyone?

At the same time, I don't think a place like Italy is an option either. Going to Fiorentina or Lazio wouldn't suit him either. Personally, I think he's in a situation like Adu and Bradley. At 18, you go over to a top team in Portugal, the Netherlands, or France and you play for a quality side that doesn't have the fear of relegation, has quality development, and when you've developed enough you get sold to bigger club.

You do not want to go somewhere like Reading or Fulham, get crap service, have a player or two leave in the January window and then end up having to play the Dempsey/McBride role of getting the ball kicked to your head with no support. Who is Jozy going to learn from at Reading? Kevin Doyle??? Leroy Lita??? Dave Kitson??? WRONG.

[golfstrom]

why not reading? they play a fighting, attacking style, and he would've played.

but of course everyone on this blog knows better for jozy; he definitely should wait for the call from sir alex (grab some bench roons!) or from a [insert random league] club that meets the 10 specific requirements of some lame blog reader.

[Andrew]

If he really wanted to go to England, there are much better teams in need of a decent forward.

[Barry U]

Guys I like the slowly but surely method being used by Dempsey, Spector (he started at a big one), Bradley, Adu, Subotic, Benny (for a while at least), Heath Pearce, Charlie Davies, Maurice Edu, Johan Smith, Sal Zizzo, Bryan Arguez to name a few. American players are fit and tough but what we need to get over the hump is soccer smarts! These guys are doing the undergrad work so that they are ready for Master's and PHD's. Jozy go to a club in Holland, Portugal, Germany that is mid or top of the table or even a Celtic or Rangers. The thing is to keep playing minutes and getting better. Cuase in 3 or 4 years if you continue to become the player people think you are going to be the Real Madrids, Arsenal, Milan's and such will be waiting. It is just exciting to have an American being thought of that way.

Rossi doesn't count - but I am not bitter! LOL

[Dannyc58]

Thanks BK.

I don't think Real Madrid, Barca, Arsenal, Man U, etc are right for Jozy either, just so its clear.

I simply find it amazing that he got serious interest from Real Madrid, than the dropoff was all the way down to Reading. Thats HUGE, that part of it was simply stunnign to me.

[Amit]

Whether or not Jozy is upet about the failed transfer, the guy just says the right things. What a class act. Foreign teams should rally be attracted to the high level mentality he possesses at such a young age.

[Tony in Quakeland]

Compare the development of Yanks Abroad in the Premier League to those who went to the Continent. Gee, John O'Brien or Jonathan Spector? Claudio Reyna or Kenny Cooper? (And look what it's doing for Benny Feilhaber!) The most successful Yanks in England were pretty much developed in MLS first (Dempsey, Howard). The development record of the non-English league is far, far better. Altidore would develop faster playing reserve games for Valencia than first team for Reading...

[Dannyc58]

Amen Tony!

Much more calmly and better stated than I...which was needed...

[YankatOxford]

All this speculation about where Altidore should go is meaningless, if he truly does want to play in England.

A technical league in France, Spain, or Portugal would more likely be better for his development, but HE may not wish to play so far off the radar of the casual supporter.

The reaction here is interesting, some are surprised, some wish that he will avoid the Premiership, others are disappointed it was "only Reading."

The most encouraging thing is that he is willing to leave MLS sooner rather than later.

I also concur that Altidore continues to demonstrate class and competence when addressing the media.

[groovester]

The real question is - are the Red Bulls really seriously looking into what they need to do this summer when he transfers and not just giving lipservice about finding another forward. His contract runs out at the end of the year, so odds are he's living this summer or the Red Bulls get nothing. I just hope they are going through some options.

[groovester]

ooops, meant leaving, not living

[Haig]

"His contract runs out at the end of the year"

No.

[soccer nerd]

Would love to know what the $$$$ deal was going to be. Would MLS even have entertained it? After all, these guys slammed the door on any discussion of moving Twellman.

[Ed]

I don't know why any of you would be surprised if Altidore went to Reading. Sure they are at the lower end of EPL, but he only plays for the lowly NYRB now. Reading would be many steps up..

[northzax]

for anyone who's saying that Jozy's target now should be a mega-club, just a reminder. it took three years at Old Trafford before this chap with the name Cristiano Ronaldo started to play every minute and became a mega-star. that would be the guy who just finished in the top three for Footballer of the Year. three years, starting when he was a year younger than Jozy. worth keeping in mind.

[northzax]

soccer nerd: New England refused the Twellman deal, not MLS.

[groovester]

("His contract runs out at the end of the year"

No.)

i'll happily be wrong on this one. Then there won't be as much pressure on either side. But I thought his contract runs out at the end of 2008. Anyone know details?

[andrew]

i thought jozy's comments were class... he did a great job of acknowledging that it's no secret he is/has been looking for a european team, while at the same time professing his love for RBNY and desire to be there. not necessarily STAY there, just BE there. not many players pull that off well.

[beckster]

Lita wants to leave because he doesn't get time behind Kitson, Doyle and Long. Jozy would have same problem. Although the size of the club and the manager would be a great fit, the striker situation wouldn't be optimal for him.

[Andrew]

I know everyone is saying that he wouldn't survive at a big club, and 9/10 of me says the same. But the other tenth looks at teens like pato who is ripping it up at milan, and Marcelo/Giovani who are both doing well at Madrid/Barca respectively, and it has to make you wonder...Especially considering Adu and Altidore torched Marcelo in the U-20 world cup and I believe pato was apart of that brazil team that we beat as well.

[Moneyball]

I really think a lot of you are undestimating Jozy Altidore. His potential - and more importantly, his odds of reaching it - are so much higher than anyone to come out of the US EVER.

He is a beast physically. In terms of size, strength and pace he has absolutely no limitations...and he's only getting bigger and stronger as time goes on. Ask Eddie Robinson, one of the tougher defenders in MLS, if Jozy can grind it out physically; he gave Jozy all he could muster last year at Giants Stadium and still couldn't stop him from scoring.

And mentally, you'll never find a more perfect makeup for becoming a star. As everyone has noted, he has a knack for saying the right thing. That's because he has a great perspective on his situation - he understands how things work and is comfortable with how he fits into different situations. He's very mature, and this attitude along with his work ethic means that the places he lacks (technical skill) can and will be learned and improved upon over time.

The kid is a stud. After a few more months in a Red Bull shirt and a few more caps with the MNT, I think he'll be playing for a Champions League team somewhere and we'll all be laughing about when we were debating the merits of Reading.

[aristotle]

Will the last person leaving MLS please turn out the lights?

[CD]

So Clint Dempsey a creative attacking player can improve and become a quality EPL player at Fulham but Altidore shouldn't go to Reading?

Keep in mind Reading a few years back was a small club and they quickly progressed up to the EPL. This summer they will be adding 14k seats to their ground making it 38k. Their owner is ambitious and they have one of the best coaches in the EPL. They are a growing club. I think Reading would have been a fine destination for Jozy. Two Americans on the roster would have been a huge benefit also.

My opinion on all of these transfers is it really doesn't matter where I want a player to go. It is their decision and they need to be comfortable with their situation so that they can be confident and have the opportunity to succeed.

[Andrew]

forgot to mention Luisao, who was also part of that u20 brasil team and is now starting for benfica

[papa bear]

I've never been happier to see RBNY retain a player (and I'm not fan of RBNY)
Reading would have been an AWFUL move. There are a ton of reasons the first of which being England has an abominable youth development system and Jozy is still young enough to need to learn a few more things.
Plus they will be in the Prem for about another 3 months then it's to MLS England: Colaship.
When he moves in the summer or fall, I pray it's Spain, Holland or Germany. All 3 are countries that actually know how to mold a kid into a complete player.

[papa bear]

"So Clint Dempsey a creative attacking player can improve and become a quality EPL player at Fulham but Altidore shouldn't go to Reading?"

Most, myself included, would argue that Deuce hasn't really 'improved'. He's merely grown accustomed to his surroundings and showcasing his skills. All the things he's doing in the Prem are the same things he was doing in MLS.
If anything his Nats form has dipped since moving to England so you could argue that in some ways he's regressed.

[Joamiq]

Wow, and I thought *I* had big expectations. You people are nuts. He's 18. Even if Reading were relegated, a year dominating the Championship wouldn't actually be the worst thing in the world. And if he went on a Tevez-like scoring streak to keep Reading up? That would be the most likely way for him to make it up to a big club. No big club is signing him right now unless he can either a) dominate MLS (which he has yet to do, let's not forget) or b) prove his worth somewhere else in Europe by being a solid contributor for a mid to low table top flight team or a successful second flight team. I too think he's the most potentially dominant offensive player the US has ever produced, and I too think he will *someday* command a massive transfer fee from a massive club - but that day is not today!

chesterton chris, kpugs, you guys are right on.

But I'll join the chorus on this: Jozy's parents did a hell of a job because he does ALWAYS say the right thing.

[papa bear]

"A technical league in France, Spain, or Portugal would more likely be better for his development, but HE may not wish to play so far off the radar of the casual supporter"

since when is La Liga 'far off the radar'?!?! I guarantee there is more viewership of La Liga on this side of the pond (North and South America) than the Premiership. Plus La Liga is a better league by a fair margin.

[NOLA soccer fan]

if anything by josy going to a lower class team, he will be the star and forced to play against world class talent, because lets be real...outside of a handful of players on the american squad...we dont field any players with the talent of say christiano ronaldo.

If josy plays for a lower tiered team in La Liga or FA or even the bundesliga...its better than him sitting on the bench like most americans abroad.

[hoya]

A lot of people are mentioning how unrealistic and far fetched are expectations/ hopes for Jozy are at his age. What people need to understand is that it is not like any other teen star from Brazil, Spain, Italy or wherever. When those talent rich countries have a young player like Jozy they can afford for him to spend a few years on the bench of some huge club (similar to Ronaldo's experience that someone mentioned) or maybe make a bad transfer choice that stagnates his development for a few years. However for USMNT fans we cannot be patient, we cannot watch him sit at Real Madrid for three years, end up in the CCC after Reading gets relegated or move to a club that is anything but the best possible place for him. We need him to be ready TODAY, not tommorow, not by 2010, today. Because the fact is if he doesnt become what we hope he will become over the next few years, we will be watching Eddie Johnson and Taylor Twellman stink up in South Africa.

[hoya]

Couple corrections Im not the best typer:

First line should read, "..far fetched our expectations/hopes..."
Last line should read, "...stink it up in South Africa."

[Dannyc58]

Joamiq,

I can't speak for everyone, but I don't think its the problem of it not being a World Class team.

Most of the Premiereship and all of the CCC play freaking long ball. How the heck will that be best for Jozy? Someone needs to explain that one to me.

And to what Hoya said, its a bit disappointing that Reading is possibly where our 18 year old jewel would go. While Mexico has 18 year olds on Barca & Arsenal (though he's on loan). However that is not important, I'll grant you that.

And not to "attack" you, but you can't say our expectations are crazy then say its possible Jozy would go on a Tevez like scoring run in the last 13 games...

[Andrew]

woops, wrong luisao...

[Andrew]

woops, wrong luisao...

[Joamiq]

Hoya,
Incorrect. We do not need Jozy to be ready today. We need him to be ready by 2009/10.

Dannyc58,
Much of the Prem and CCC do play long ball. I agree that it would not be BEST. But it wouldn't be bad either. Jozy has a lot of things to work on. He plays primarily as a target striker, and a long ball team isn't the worst place to be for someone like that. He has to continue to improve his finishing, aerial ability, ability to hold off defenders, etc. Are you telling me he won't get an opportunity to do those things in the Premiership or the CCC? The only way he won't be able to is if he's not playing. If he goes to a team like Reading, he plays. It's as simple as that. I repeat, ONE YEAR in the CCC would do nothing to stunt his development. Let's not forget that he's been developing on the RED BULLS. I am a RB fan, but I'm not going to pretend we're not a cut below Reading.

And I didn't say that Jozy would go on a scoring streak. I don't expect him to. But it's certainly more likely for him to get picked up by a big club if he goes to a lesser European team and performs (or if he just flat out dominates MLS this year). That's just a fact. Those who think he deserves to immediately go to a big club just because they think he's awesome need to wake up.

I understand Reading doesn't sound glamorous. But Dos Santos came up through the Barcelona youth system. Vela was signed by Arsenal after winning the Golden Boot and leading Mexico to the U-17 World Cup title. Jozy doesn't have things like that going for him. He has to just play and perform. He'll be fine.

[Joe Zakierski]

With all the success Jozy's having, the clock on him staying with RBNY is ticking faster than ever. I can't see him staying much longer than next season. That said, don't people think that the Red Bulls need to upgrade and attract more talent at the forward position?

[J.K]

GOL TV Noticias just mentioned this story and quoted "soccerbyives.net" as the source. Ives' profile is going up.

[JerseyMike]

To the poster who mentioned how Altidore has to be ready for the World Cup 2010, youre right. Its unforunate but as of right now, our national team does not have enough depth for us to play with Jozy's developement. But I can assure you that in 5-6 years, the US national program (youth and up) will have a ton of more talent flowing throught it than today. We have more and more studs coming through the program than ever before. It is extremely difficult to keep a spot on a national roster.

[JerseyMike]

And to add, Id love to see him with Benfica. They play great technical soccer, have beautiful women, and he and Freddy can start working together and gaining a chemistry.

Who gets the transfer fee if a European club wants Jozy? The MLS or RedBull??

[julio]

I am concerned that Altidore is waisting too much precious time in a 10th division league behind European, Argentinian, Brazilian, and Mexican leagues? He needs to get more in condition and to play with real competition. Forget the MLS- go to a better league, get in better shape and get your mind more focused on the game