Josmer Volmy "Jozy" Altidore (born November 6, 1989)[4] is an American soccer player currently playing for Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar, and for the United States national team.
Altidore made his professional debut in 2006 at the age of 16 with the New York Red Bulls. In the middle of his third season with New York, in 2008, he made a transfer to Villarreal. During his time with Villarreal, he left on three loan stints – with Spanish Segunda División club Xerez in February–May 2009, English Premier League club Hull City for the entire 2009–10 season, and Turkish club Bursaspor where he went on a six month loan. In the summer of 2011, he made the switch to AZ Alkmaar.
Altidore has represented the United States on various levels of international competition, featuring for the United States U-17 team at the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship, U-20 team at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the U-23 team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and the senior national team at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The youngest of four children, Altidore was born in Livingston, New Jersey and raised in Boca Raton, Florida. He enjoyed playing soccer from the time he was a boy.[5] His parents, Joseph and Giselle, were both born in Haiti (Altidore pays tribute to his heritage by wearing a wristband bearing both the flags of Haiti and the United States during his games). Growing up, he played club soccer for GBYSA and Boca Juniors Soccer Club. As a high schooler, he attended Boca Prep International School before joining the U.S. U-17 Residency program.
Altidore was taken seventeenth overall in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft, with the MetroStars (now the New York Red Bulls) trading up to receive the selection. Altidore spent the majority of the 2006 season away from the team while working towards his high school diploma in Florida.
Altidore made his professional debut on August 23, 2006, as a substitute in a 3–1 U.S. Open Cup loss to D.C. United. He scored his first professional goal at the age of sixteen with an 83rd minute, 28-yard shot to beat the Columbus Crew 1–0 on September 16, 2006. Exactly one week later, on September 23, 2006, in a 4–3 loss to D.C. United, Altidore scored again. Scoring three times in seven appearances, including a crucial goal against Chicago Fire on September 30, 2006, Altidore became a fan favorite. He scored the Red Bulls' only goal of their 2–1 aggregate loss to D.C. United in the Eastern Conference Semifinals Series when he headed in a cross in the second leg. With that goal, he became the youngest player to score in the Major League Soccer playoffs at 16 years, 337 days (breaking DaMarcus Beasley's record by almost three years). Altidore was also youngest to start in a Major League Soccer playoff match on October 21 against D.C. United (16 years, 349 days). He also scored two goals in a 5–4 win over Los Angeles Galaxy on August 18, 2007.
On June 4, 2008, Villarreal of La Liga agreed in principle with Major League Soccer and the New York Red Bulls to sign Altidore for roughly $10 million or €7.4 million.[6][7] This transfer fee surpasses Fulham's fee for Clint Dempsey, which was $4 million or roughly £2 million, and is now the largest fee paid for any MLS player. Altidore finalized his personal contract and was unveiled by the club on June 11, 2008.[8][9] On September 14, 2008, Jozy made his La Liga debut, coming on as a second half substitute against Deportivo La Coruña. On November 1, 2008, Jozy became the first American international to score in La Liga when he came on in the 90th minute and scored against Athletic Bilbao.[10] On November 30, 2008, Jozy started his first game in La Liga against Recreativo Huelva. After spending a year and a half on loan, Altidore returned to Villarreal. He favored staying with Villarreal instead of another loan to try to prove to the club he is worth the investment they made two years ago.
On January 30, 2009, Villarreal agreed to loan Altidore to Xerez, leader of the Segunda División at the time of the transfer, until the end of the 2008–09 season.[11] It was expected that the move would allow Altidore to get more playing time, and also allow him to continue the process of assimilating into the Spanish culture.[12]
On April 16, 2009, Altidore underwent minor surgery on an injured toenail that required more than a month of recovery, resulting in him never making an appearance for Xerez.[13]
On August 5, 2009, Altidore announced on his Twitter page that he would be loaned to English Premier League club Hull City.[14] He joined Hull City the next day on a season-long loan with the option for Hull City to purchase his rights at the end of the 2009–10 season for a fee believed to be £6.5 million ($11 million).
On August 10, 2009, Hull City announced that they were successful in obtaining a work permit for Altidore.[15] Altidore made his debut for Hull on August 22, 2009, coming on as a second-half substitute against Bolton. He provided the assist for Kamel Ghilas to score the only goal in a 1–0 home victory at the KC Stadium.[16] On August 25, 2009, Altidore scored his first goal for Hull in a 3–1 win over Southend United in the second round of the League Cup.[17] Altidore was popular with supporters but struggled to make a lasting impact with the Tigers as his finishing was often found wanting, however he did manage to score his first and only Premier League goal in the 2–1 home win over Manchester City on the 6th February.[18] On 24 April, in an important game for Hull City's Premier League survival, he was dismissed for violent conduct after a spat with Sunderland's Alan Hutton who was also sent off. Hull City lost 1–0 and were all but relegated from the top flight.[19]
On August 19, 2010, Altidore returned to competitive action for Villarreal, coming on in the 74th minute of their third qualifying round match of the Europa League.
On January 31, 2011, Altidore was loaned out to Turkish champions Bursaspor on a six-month loan.[20] On Friday April 8, Altidore scored his first goal for his new club in a 3-2 home loss to Antalyaspor.[21]
On July 15, 2011, Altidore agreed to terms with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.[22] On 7 August, Altidore made his debut for the club as a second half substitute against PSV Eindhoven. Altidore scored in the 80th minute, helping his new side to a 3-1 opening day win.[23] Altidore was again used as a sub in the club's next Eredivisie game as AZ fell 2-0 to FC Twente.[24] Altidore made his first start in the league for AZ on 21 August, when they played host to NEC Nijmegen at the AFAS Stadion. After a goalless first-half, Altidore opened the scoring in the 54th minute, pouncing on the rebound after NEC goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen saved his header. Altidore scored again nineteen minutes later after some nice passing with Adam Maher and AZ ran out 4-0 winners.[25]
On August 25, Altidore started in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League final qualifying match against Aalesunds FK from Norway. Before being substituted in the 63rd minute by Charlison Benschop, Altidore scored twice.[26] His first goal in the 23nd minute gave AZ Alkmaar a 2-0 lead and his second goal in the 59th minute brought the score to 4-0 in a game AZ eventually won by 6-0.[27] Altidore added to his Europa League account when he opened the scoring in the 21st minute of his side's first group match against Malmo FF on 15 September.[28] After a long wait Altidore returned to the score sheet for AZ, netting in the 83rd minute of a 3-0 victory over ADO Den Haag on 6 November that also secured his side's 10th victory of the Eredivisie campaign.[29] On December 4, Altidore scored his side's only goal in a 5-1 loss to Heerenveen.[30] Altidore had to wait until 8 February 2012 to score his next league goal, grabbing a brace in a 6-0 win over ADO Den Haag.[31] The result put AZ level on points with PSV at the top of the table.[32]
Altidore headed in the winning goal against VVV Venlo on Sunday 22 April to keep AZ second in the table and their title hopes still alive.[33]
Altidore with the national team in Amsterdam for a friendly game against the Netherlands.
Altidore has played for the United States national team at almost every level. Altidore attended the Bradenton Academy as a member of the United States U-17 national team, and was part of the squad at the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship, appearing as a substitute in the United States' 3–1 win over Italy and 2–0 loss to the Netherlands. He also played for the United States U-20 national team in its successful qualification to the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada. During the group stage of the U-20 World Cup, Altidore tallied three goals, including two in the 2–1 win over Brazil, helping the Americans to advance at the top of group D. In the quarterfinals, Altidore scored a goal in the first half against Austria. Altidore led the U.S. with 4 goals in the tournament.
On November 17, 2007, Altidore received his first call-up to the full United States national team for a friendly against South Africa just eleven days after his eighteenth birthday. He came in as a sub in the 65th minute. In his second match, against Sweden, Altidore was again a second-half substitute, winning a penalty that Landon Donovan converted to break Eric Wynalda's record of 34 national team goals. On February 6, 2008, in a friendly versus Mexico, Altidore made his first start for the national team where he also scored his first goal.
In July 2008, Altidore was named to Piotr Nowak's United States U-23 national team roster that qualified for and competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. On August 10, 2008, he scored against the Netherlands to put the U.S. in front after coming on as a substitute.
Altidore scored his second senior international and first World Cup Qualifying goal on October 11, 2008, in a 6–1 victory over Cuba. He started in his first World Cup Qualifier on October 15, 2008 against Trinidad and Tobago, and set up Charlie Davies's second half goal, but later fouled a player in the penalty area leading to Dwight Yorke's game winner. He made amends in the next game by assisting Kenny Cooper's goal and drawing the foul that led to Freddy Adu's first international goal.
On March 28, 2009, Altidore scored his first away goal in World Cup Qualifying in the 2–2 draw with El Salvador. On April 1, 2009, Altidore scored three goals in a 3–0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago, making Altidore the youngest American to score a hat-trick in an international game.[34]
On June 24, 2009, Altidore scored in the semi-final of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup against Spain, turning club teammate Joan Capdevilla to get a clear shot on Iker Casillas' goal. The U.S. went on to defeat the Spanish team, 2–0.[4] The following summer he appeared in every match the team played in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. No American forwards managed to score in the tournament, but Altidore played a major part, getting an assist on Michael Bradley's game-tying goal against Slovenia and putting a pass into the 6 yard box against Algeria that ultimately resulted in the game winning goal by Landon Donovan.
Altidore played a key role in the group stage of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, scoring the first U.S. goal of the tournament against Canada and later scoring the only goal that saw the defeat of Guadeloupe. In the early minutes of the quarterfinal match against Jamaica, Altidore had to be removed from the game with a pulled hamstring. He missed the remainder of the Gold Cup.[35]
| # |
Date |
Venue |
Opponent |
Score |
Result |
Competition |
| 01. |
February 6, 2008 |
Reliant Stadium, Houston, USA |
 Mexico |
2 – 1
|
2 – 2
|
Friendly
|
| 02. |
October 11, 2008 |
RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C., USA |
 Cuba |
5 – 1
|
6 – 1
|
Q 2010 World Cup
|
| 03. |
March 28, 2009 |
Estadio Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El Salvador |
 El Salvador |
1 – 2
|
2 – 2
|
Q 2010 World Cup
|
| 04. |
April 1, 2009 |
LP Field, Nashville, USA |
 Trinidad and Tobago |
1 – 0
|
3 – 0
|
Q 2010 World Cup
|
| 05. |
2 – 0
|
| 06. |
3 – 0
|
| 07. |
June 24, 2009 |
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa |
 Spain |
1 – 0
|
2 – 0
|
2009 Confederations Cup
|
| 08. |
September 5, 2009 |
Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, USA |
El Salvador |
2 – 1
|
2 – 1
|
Q 2010 World Cup
|
| 09. |
May 29, 2010 |
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, USA |
 Turkey |
1 – 1
|
2 – 1
|
Friendly
|
| 10. |
October 9, 2010 |
Soldier Field, Chicago, USA |
 Poland |
1 – 0
|
2 – 2
|
Friendly
|
| 11. |
June 7, 2011 |
Ford Field, Detroit, USA |
 Canada |
1 – 0
|
2 – 0
|
2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup
|
| 12. |
June 14, 2011 |
Livestrong Sporting Park, Kansas City, USA |
 Guadeloupe |
1 – 0
|
1 – 0
|
2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup
|
| 13. |
November 15, 2011 |
Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana, Slovenia |
 Slovenia |
3 – 1
|
3 – 2
|
Friendly
|
- As of 22 April 2012
In 2007, Altidore was a candidate for ESPN's Next Award and is one of the stars featured in Adidas' "Impossible is Nothing" advertisements. Altidore is featured on the cover of the North American version of FIFA 08 by EA Sports, alongside Ronaldinho and Guillermo Ochoa.[36]
In November 2006 he, along with New York Red Bulls teammates Seth Stammler and fellow Haitian-American Jerrod Laventure, accompanied Haitian-born Grammy Award winning musician Wyclef Jean on a six-day service trip to Haiti for Jean's charitable organization, Yéle Haiti. Jean also wore Altidore's #17 jersey during a halftime performance with Shakira at the Red Bulls home opener.
Following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Altidore joined the relief effort by asking people to donate to Yéle Haiti.[37] He appeared on CNN to discuss his family members still living in Haiti and to encourage people to give money.[38]
- ^ McIntyre, Doug (2007-09-19). "Altidore's game growing by leaps and bounds". ESPNsoccernet. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=464518&root=mls&cc=5739. Retrieved 2010-04-04.
- ^ Jozy Altidore player profile. FIFA. http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/players/player=238072/index.html. Retrieved 2010-06-09
- ^ Jozy Altidore profile. ESPN. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=75589&cc=5901. Retrieved 2009-10-28
- ^ a b Altidore gets his message across this time. Fox Sports. 2009-06-24. http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/9726684/Altidore-gets-his-message-across-this-time. Retrieved 2009-06-24
- ^ Dampf, Andrew. "Altidore gets his message across this time", USA Today, June 24, 2009. Accessed February 24, 2011. "Born in Livingston, New Jersey, to Haitian parents, U.S. Soccer is hoping Altidore develops into the consistent scorer the team has lacked for years. So far he's on schedule."
- ^ Bell, Jack; Robinson, Joshua (June 5, 2008). "Spanish Soccer Team Strikes Deal for Altidore". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/sports/soccer/05altidore.html?ref=sports. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
- ^ Soccer By Ives – Altidore Sold to Villarreal for $10 million
- ^ ([dead link] – Scholar search) U.S. striker Jozy Altidore excited by Villarreal move. Fox Sports. 2008-06-12. http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/8235232/U.S.-striker-Jozy-Altidore-excited-by-Villarreal-move. Retrieved 2008-06-13
- ^ Soccer By Ives: Altidore agrees to terms with Villarreal, to be introduced on Wednesday
- ^ Bell, Jack (November 2, 2008). "Altidore Scores His First Goal for Villarreal". The New York Times. http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/altidore-scores-his-first-goal-for-villarreal/. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
- ^ "Altidore headed to Xerez on loan". ESPNsoccernet. 2009-01-31. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=614312&sec=americansabroad&cc=5901. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
- ^ Galarcep, Ives (2009-01-31). "Altidore completes loan move to Xerez". SoccerByIves.net. http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2009/01/altidore-loan-deal-to-xerez-is-done.html. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
- ^ Bell, Arch (2009-04-16). "Altidore undergoes knife, out month". Yanks-Abroad.com. http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=4583. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
- ^ Dyer, Kristian R. (2009-08-05). "Altidore to join Hull City on loan". ESPNsoccernet. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=665334&sec=americansabroad&cc=5901. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
- ^ "Altidore Granted Work Permit". 2009-08-10. http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10338~1749853,00.html. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
- ^ Hull 1–0 Bolton. BBC. 2009-08-22. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8209351.stm. Retrieved 2009-08-22
- ^ Altidore sinks Shrimpers. ESPN. 2009-08-25. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=281566&cc=5901. Retrieved 2009-08-25
- ^ Hull 2–1 Man City. BBC Sport. 2010-02-06. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8498610.stm. Retrieved 2010-02-06
- ^ Sheringham, Sam (2010-04-24). "Hull 0 - 1 Sunderland". BBC Sport (BBC). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8637469.stm. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
- ^ "Jozy Altidore heading to Bursaspor". ESPNsoccernet. 2011-01-31. http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6078103/jozy-altidore-being-loaned-bursaspor-6-months. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
- ^ "Stats, scores and schedules". The Washington Post. April 8, 2011. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/post/video-jozy-altidore-goal-for-bursaspor/2011/04/08/AFXvdx3C_blog.html.
- ^ Galarcep, Ives. http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2011/07/altidore-joining-az-alkmaar.html Soccerbyives.net. Retrieved 2011-07-14.
- ^ Report: AZ Alkmaar v PSV Eindhoven - Dutch Eredivisie - ESPN Soccernet
- ^ Report: Twente Enschede v AZ Alkmaar - Dutch Eredivisie - ESPN Soccernet
- ^ Report: AZ Alkmaar v NEC Nijmegen - Dutch Eredivisie - ESPN Soccernet
- ^ Match: AZ Alkmaar v Aalesund - UEFA Europa League - ESPN Soccernet
- ^ Voetbal International - AZ in eigen huis veel te sterk voor Aalesunds FK
- ^ Gamecast: AZ Alkmaar v Malmo FF - UEFA Europa League - ESPN Soccernet
- ^ http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=321816&cc=5901
- ^ http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=321789&cc=5901
- ^ http://www.soccerway.com/news/2012/February/08/eredivisie-ado-den-haag-0-az-alkmaar-6/
- ^ http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=321748&cc=5901
- ^ http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=321648&cc=5901
- ^ U.S. 3–0 T&T: Altidore hits hat trick. ESPN. 2008-04-01. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=262890&cc=5901. Retrieved 2008-04-01
- ^ Altidore to miss remainder of Gold Cup with injury. USA Today. 2011-06-22. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2011-06-22-3320144671_x.htm. Retrieved 2011-06-23
- ^ IGN: Jozy Altidore Talks FIFA 08
- ^ Yanks Abroad (14 January 2010) "Altidore Calling on Fans for Haiti"
- ^ CNN (14 January 2010) "Jozy Altidore on Haiti"
| Persondata |
| Name |
Altidore, Jozy |
| Alternative names |
Altidore, Josmer Volmy (full name) |
| Short description |
Association football player |
| Date of birth |
November 6, 1989 |
| Place of birth |
Livingston, New Jersey, United States |
| Date of death |
|
| Place of death |
|
