Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The U.S. are to be trifled with no longer. With 12 consecutive wins, the U.S. Men’s National team has their sights on Spain’s record of 15 straight wins coming in 2009. With their level of play, the sky is the limit for the U.S.
With Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey carrying the torch for the U.S. team over the past decade, a new man has stepped in. Jozy Altidore is rounding into form for the U.S., and that’s a great sign for the future. At 23-years old, Altidore is proving to be the future of American soccer. His success in Europe has greatly improved his game, and with the World Cup around the corner, expect Altidore to turn it up a notch.
Earlier in the year, Altidore was struggling to make plays, and Jurgen Klinsmann had to send him a message: he left Altidore out of two key World Cup qualifiers. Although they won those matches, they struggled to put the ball in the net consistently. When Altidore was called up, he struggled a bit, but turned it around.
When the U.S. played Germany in May, Altidore finally put it in the net. Since then, he has been on a surge, scoring seven goals in five games, with three of those coming in a hat trick performance against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The U.S. is now gearing up for a World Cup Qualifier against Costa Rica then they must face Mexico. If the U.S. can win both games they will be one game closer to Spain’s record and a guaranteed spot in the World Cup next summer.
For the U.S., Altidore is the key to any success now and in the future. He must stay in form for the foreseeable future to ensure the U.S. can stay competitive. With young players like Aron Johannsson in the picture, things are looking up for the Americans.
Nugesse Ghebrendrias is a Sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @NugasayWhat24, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
