Jozy Altidore stars in another “Next Big Thing” article, this one from ABC News. This could be his last season in MLS. Altidore turns 18 on Nov. 6, making him eligible to move abroad. And after a string of impressive performances for both the New York Red Bulls and the U-20 national team at the World Cup in Canada, you can be sure there’ll be interest. Moreover, he wants to go to Europe — and he wants to go big: when asked if he’d consider playing with a Second Division team, Jozy answered, “I think I’d rather stay here than do that.”
The 17-year-old certainly loves his job. “I think that soccer is the most beautiful game, period. It has an art to it that no other sport can grasp, not even close. I understand you have to be a person who believes the same, but it’s a belief that’s growing here in the States.”
As ever, Red Bulls coach Bruce Arena urges caution over the use of terms like “Next Big Thing” in describing Altidore. “I’ve forewarned the media before and I’ve said we’ve made some major blunders in the past in terms of proclaiming players this or that. Jozy needs time. He needs to be patient.” That said, “This guy is playing in a position where we’ve never had a top level player” — which is precisely what makes his promise so exciting.