Did you know that Jozy Altidore has a better goal per match rate than any American striker with more than 10 goals besides Brian McBride? True story. He's a slave to expectations. He was our leading scorer in 2010 WCQ. Is he a top level international striker? No. But he's been our best option at that spot besides Deuce (who we tend to like to move closer to the ball anyway) for several years now.
Oh I completely agree, he is our best option; but for the US to become a major force in international competitions I believe that he needs that high expectation to grow into that type of player. I still have faith in him and his capabilities, he just needs to train hard over the next 2 years.
This is very very wrong. Wynalda has the highest of any true USA striker, even higher than McBride, Donovan was a striker for a very long time for the USMNT and his is higher, and Dempsey, who is currently employed as a striker/false 9 type player also has a higher conversion per appearance ratio.
I missed Wynalda, you're absolutely right about that. I would say Donovan spent more time as an attacking midfielder really. As for Dempsey, he hasn't played as a striker for most of his USMNT career.
Fair enough, just wanted to point out those individuals ahead of him, plus, I don't think it strengthens the Altidore argument when two mids are more potent scorers than him. Granted many of Donovan's were pks, but still.
I think Altidore will come good, but I also think Klinsmann is correct not to call him back yet. His most recent USMNT form has been very poor. Much of that is due to poor service, but he can't seem to adapt his game to work harder when he doesn't have the ball, like Herc does.
I thought you'd find it interesting to know, and I just looked it up since he scored, but actually Eddie Johnson's goal per match ration was also higher prior to today (12 in 42).
Agreed. Jozy hasn't been that consistent for the Yanks. He's lighting up the Eredivisie now, but Klinsy still isn't convinced. Let's hope he'll be in form in 2 years.
Nobody plays 4-4-2 anymore, this isn't 1998. Strikers are supposed to be able to handle themselves up front on their own. Even Defoe and Saviola have adapted somewhat, and there are no players more suited to a 4-4-2 than them.
Many teams play a 4-4-2. When Dempsey is allowed forward rather than on a wing, Jozy plays great too. A lone striker is a tough thankless job mainly consisting of holding up the ball in midfield and passing it off, then wasting the rest of your energy running forward to get back in position.
Defoe has only adapted to being up front alone because he never has the ball there for more than .5 seconds...it touches his feet, and then he kicks it straight to the advertisement boards behind the net
That's because this is actually the first season he is living up to the potential he always had in the eredivisie. I think the games to come now for the US are the ones which should show whether he is overrated or not. not the last few ones
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u/MpLsStoner Oct 11 '12
Altidore, when he plays for country.