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27388: Hermantin(News)Altidore:the next star? (fwd)





lhermantin@hotmail.com



Posted on Sun, Jan. 29, 2006

ON SOCCER

By MICHELLE KAUFMAN
mkaufman@MiamiHerald.com


Altidore: the next star?



One of the most exciting young prospects in the pipeline to the U.S. national team is a Haitian-American teenager who grew up in Coral Springs and Boca Raton. Josmer Altidore, 16, is making a big splash on the U.S. Under-17 team, and last week was drafted by the MetroStars, joining Freddy Adu as the rare high school kid good enough to play with the pros.

''Josi is what you would call a phenom,'' MetroStars general manager Alexi Lalas said by phone last week. ``He has incredible upside, not just his ability, but his personality, too. He has the potential to have as much, if not more, impact than Freddy Adu.

``Of course, we've seen in the past that there are a million things that can derail a young star, but he has the speed, poise and ability to do big things.''

MetroStars coach Mo Johnston, a former MLS forward, said: ``I think Josi is going to become the future of the MetroStars and U.S. Soccer. I am very, very, very happy that we were able to get him at No. 17.''

Altidore has scored 19 goals in 25 games with the Under-17 national team, and his performance at the youth world championship drew raves from MLS scouts. He says once the pro coaches started calling, he decided to pass on college.

''No doubt I want a college education, but soccer-wise, going pro is better for me,'' he said by phone. ``Nothing against college coaches, but the coaching I'll get in MLS and the level of competition is way higher. My mom is a little worried about me skipping college right now, but me and my dad keep telling her it will be fine, and I can get my education later.''

Altidore's parents were born and raised in Haiti, and moved to New Jersey in their early 20s. Josmer was born in New Jersey, the family moved to Coral Springs when he was 3, and later relocated to Boca Raton. His father is a FedEx delivery man, and his mother is a nurse at West Boca Medical Center. Josmer's sister, Sadia, is on soccer scholarship at East Carolina University.

Altidore played for the Boca Juniors youth team, and also at Boca Prep before being invited to the U.S. Under-17 residency program in Bradenton, where he trains and attends school. He is scheduled to graduate in December.

''The biggest task I face is mental,'' Altidore said. ``I know I have the skills to play with these guys, but mentally, there is so much about the game I need to learn. My brain has to become a sponge. I know I'm going to be criticized, but I have to take that as drive to get better and not put too much pressure on myself.''

He said he appreciates every step of his soccer career, particularly because of his heritage.

''I've been to Haiti three or four times, and still have relatives and friends there, and I know how rough things are over there,'' he said. ``I worry whenever they talk on the news about the political turmoil there. I feel very lucky to be in the situation I'm in, and hopefully, I can be a good role model for other Haitian kids.''