Jozy Altidore Biography

Jozy Altidore was only 16 years old when he played his first Major League Soccer game with the New York Red Bulls at age 16 in 2006. His youth, speed, and goal-scoring ability made him an instant hit with fans and earned him comparisons to an earlier soccer phenom, Freddy Adu. Unlike Adu, Altidor flourished in the pros and in 2008 his contract was purchased by the Spanish team Villarreal. He has since played for other pro teams including Xerex in Spain and Hull City in the United Kingdom. Altidore is also a regular on the U.S. National Men’s team; he earned his first cap against South Africa on 17 November 2007, and in 2010 played for the U.S. in the World Cup. Altidore became “the youngest player to score for the U.S. during the modern era” (according to U.S. Soccer) when he scored against Mexico during a 2-2 draw on 6 February 2008.