27388: Hermantin(News)Altidore:the next star? (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

lhermantin@hotmail.com



Posted on Sun, Jan. 29, 2006

ON SOCCER

By MICHELLE KAUFMAN
mkaufman@MiamiHerald.com


Altidore: the next star?



One of the most exciting young prospects in the pipeline to the U.S. national 
team is a Haitian-American teenager who grew up in Coral Springs and Boca 
Raton. Josmer Altidore, 16, is making a big splash on the U.S. Under-17 team, 
and last week was drafted by the MetroStars, joining Freddy Adu as the rare 
high school kid good enough to play with the pros.

''Josi is what you would call a phenom,'' MetroStars general manager Alexi 
Lalas said by phone last week. ``He has incredible upside, not just his 
ability, but his personality, too. He has the potential to have as much, if not 
more, impact than Freddy Adu.

``Of course, we've seen in the past that there are a million things that can 
derail a young star, but he has the speed, poise and ability to do big 
things.''

MetroStars coach Mo Johnston, a former MLS forward, said: ``I think Josi is 
going to become the future of the MetroStars and U.S. Soccer. I am very, very, 
very happy that we were able to get him at No. 17.''

Altidore has scored 19 goals in 25 games with the Under-17 national team, and 
his performance at the youth world championship drew raves from MLS scouts. He 
says once the pro coaches started calling, he decided to pass on college.

''No doubt I want a college education, but soccer-wise, going pro is better for 
me,'' he said by phone. ``Nothing against college coaches, but the coaching 
I'll get in MLS and the level of competition is way higher. My mom is a little 
worried about me skipping college right now, but me and my dad keep telling her 
it will be fine, and I can get my education later.''

Altidore's parents were born and raised in Haiti, and moved to New Jersey in 
their early 20s. Josmer was born in New Jersey, the family moved to Coral 
Springs when he was 3, and later relocated to Boca Raton. His father is a FedEx 
delivery man, and his mother is a nurse at West Boca Medical Center. Josmer's 
sister, Sadia, is on soccer scholarship at East Carolina University.

Altidore played for the Boca Juniors youth team, and also at Boca Prep before 
being invited to the U.S. Under-17 residency program in Bradenton, where he 
trains and attends school. He is scheduled to graduate in December.

''The biggest task I face is mental,'' Altidore said. ``I know I have the 
skills to play with these guys, but mentally, there is so much about the game I 
need to learn. My brain has to become a sponge. I know I'm going to be 
criticized, but I have to take that as drive to get better and not put too much 
pressure on myself.''

He said he appreciates every step of his soccer career, particularly because of 
his heritage.

''I've been to Haiti three or four times, and still have relatives and friends 
there, and I know how rough things are over there,'' he said. ``I worry 
whenever they talk on the news about the political turmoil there. I feel very 
lucky to be in the situation I'm in, and hopefully, I can be a good role model 
for other Haitian kids.''