Ever since Juan Pablo Angel suffered an injury in the first game of the season, 18-year-old Jozy Altidore has been leading the Red Bulls’ front line. And he’s done so admirably, says Yahoo Sports Martin Rogers, scoring two goals in three starts in addition to drawing the decisive penalty in a 2-0 win over San Jose last week. Rogers says Altidore’s efforts will have only increased his stock in what will probably be his last season in MLS before heading to Europe.
Indeed, reports from abroad are once again linking Altidore with a move to Spain; this time, Villarreal, where he would play alongside compatriot Giuseppe Rossi in the Yellow Submarine’s forward line. In his report, Rogers speaks with an English Premier League scout, who was on hand for the Bulls game against San Jose. “It has been much easier for defenders to try to push [Altidore] around without Angel around,” the scout said. “But Altidore did not back down…sometimes, he would push back and show his toughness, or sometimes he would use his head and let it go – and beat them with his skill. For me, this little run of games recently might be some of the best all-round play we have seen from Altidore to date.”
It remains to be seen whether Altidore is ready to entertain offers from abroad, but in the meantime, the Red Bulls striker is in Toronto preparing for tonight’s match with TFC at BMO Field (ESPN2: 7 PM ET). Angel is also expected to play, “which means that one of the most destructive attacking double acts in Major League Soccer can resume,” says Rogers.