Why Jozy Altidore Will be USA’s Most Important Player in 2014 World Cup

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: October 21, 2013

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Now that qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil is an afterthought for the United States men's national team, their full focus is set on making a lasting impact next summer in South America. 

One of the main keys to American success in Brazil will be the play of forward Jozy Altidore, who in the last year has cemented himself as the primary goalscorer for the Yanks at the international level. 

Ever since finding his form at AZ Alkmaar during the 2012-13 season, Altidore has earned himself a permanent starting position in Jurgen Klinsmann's ever-changing starting 11 that can never be accurately predicted. 

Altidore, who for close to two years was in an international scoring drought of epic proportions, began to score at will over the summer, and when all was said and done, he racked up eight goals from June on in friendlies against Germany and Bosnia as well as a bevy of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying matches. 

As we have seen in the most recent United States games, reliance on a single player at a certain position, in the latest case Michael Bradley in the defensive midfield, can come back to haunt the team.

When Bradley suffered a pregame ankle injury against Costa Rica back on September 6, the Yanks' holding midfielders could not get a solid grasp on the match and that helped lead to the American demise in San Jose that night. 

Luckily for the Americans, they were able to recover well from the Bradley injury and see a few players step up when called upon in the games after that against Mexico, Jamaica and Panama. 

That may not be the case if Altidore goes down with an injury or continues his putrid club form with Sunderland in the English Premier League.

In just seven league appearances for the Wearside club, Altidore has failed to find the back of the net.

His form could drop even more if he fails to score goals and ot...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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