With Altidore ready for the EPL, U.S. players stand to benefit for years

[Red Reign]

Great story.....

It can't be stated strongly enough that a Premiership team paying $13 million for a young American striker is a big deal. If Altidore does capably in his second run through the league, it raises the value for all future players coming up through the various U.S. development programs. Both Altidore and Bradley are picking up where guys like Brian McBride and Clint Dempsey and (loan star) Landon Donovan first tread, getting overseas clubs to realize that there is value in American field players, not just goalkeepers.

<!--startclickprintexclude--><!--endclickprintexclude-->Of course, the size of that value (or at least the accompanying cost going forward) is contingent upon Altidore playing well.

<!--startclickprintexclude--><!--endclickprintexclude-->On the surface, the move to Sunderland looks like it has a lot of potential. While much of the summer transfer season has yet to play itself out, with new-ish Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio eager to continue a massive overhaul of last season's underachieving Black Cats, there's a lot to like about this situation for Altidore.

<!--startclickprintexclude--><!--endclickprintexclude-->First off, he'll be playing for a manager who just authorized a very sizable fee for him. Secondly, Di Canio was an incredibly talented and classy striker himself, so Altidore has a manager with the personal experience to help him continue to develop (as long as they don't discuss politics). Also, Altidore's size and skills look to be a very good fit with fellow striker Steven Fletcher, a good threat in the air and a poacher of some renown. Altidore should immediately move ahead of other options like Danny Graham in the pecking order, and a move to a two-striker system really could benefit him. Despite his improvements in Jurgen Klinsmann's 4-2-3-1 setup, Altidore may still be better working off a partner. Fletcher is not the same type of player as Charlie Davies was pre-car wreck, but those summer months together in 2009 provided glimpses of what Altidore could do with a talented cohort when he's not isolated (and starved of service).

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/so...tidore-sunderland-transfer-epl/#ixzz2YhX227kd

 

[4evrHusker]

Like the author of that article, I believe JA benefits most from having a partner up top, as well as getting some balls served to him instead of having to create on his own. At the higher levels, unless you are supremely gifted or blessed, ala Messi or Ronaldo, you need help. Wayne Rooney, fabulously talented English striker, looks positively average when he is not getting the passes or assistance. JA is no different, except he is more of a threat in the air....

I loved this quote:

Both Altidore and Bradley are picking up where guys like Brian McBride and Clint Dempsey and (loan star) Landon Donovan first tread, getting overseas clubs to realize that there is value in American field players, not just goalkeepers.

If, IF, IF, he can make the strides to the next level, ala Michael Bradley, then maybe more US stars will get a chance. That will in turn sow the seeds of improvement outside of the US model of camps and strict practices where the players are smiply molded instead of found & nurtured. There are real stars wearing the Waldo strip, but we need more to move up the pecking order, and to keep talent within our borders. How many young players are leaving the US to play for Mexico, Italy, or other countries that they have minimal ties with compared to the USA? Too many. Maybe we can start getting the better opportunites with these players making a name for themselves at the highest club levels, which leads to lucrative contracts, and makes the player better. We can only hope.

 

[Red Reign]

Good stuff and I agree.....but the guys leaving to play for Mexico etc. these days is very minimal....

And your right there are very few strikers who can play alone up front if they are not getting service...from the midfield...that's why you need playmaking attacking midfielders like Donovan and Holden....both of whom are great defenders to boot....you have to play your best players....if you want a chance to make any sort of dent in Brazil next summer....and they won't move up the pecking order if you don't play the best guy at the position....yeah we can only hope that some how that happens...

Like the author of that article, I believe JA benefits most from having a partner up top, as well as getting some balls served to him instead of having to create on his own. At the higher levels, unless you are supremely gifted or blessed, ala Messi or Ronaldo, you need help. Wayne Rooney, fabulously talented English striker, looks positively average when he is not getting the passes or assistance. JA is no different, except he is more of a threat in the air....

I loved this quote:



If, IF, IF, he can make the strides to the next level, ala Michael Bradley, then maybe more US stars will get a chance. That will in turn sow the seeds of improvement outside of the US model of camps and strict practices where the players are smiply molded instead of found & nurtured. There are real stars wearing the Waldo strip, but we need more to move up the pecking order, and to keep talent within our borders. How many young players are leaving the US to play for Mexico, Italy, or other countries that they have minimal ties with compared to the USA? Too many. Maybe we can start getting the better opportunites with these players making a name for themselves at the highest club levels, which leads to lucrative contracts, and makes the player better. We can only hope.

 

[Red Reign]

Keep in mind the BPL will be on NBC-Sports and NBC this season which will increase the viewership two-fold....already have MLS...

 

[Red Reign]

Doug McIntyre ‏<S>@</S>DougMacESPN Jozy Altidore scored in his Sunderland debut today, a 13-1 win vs. a local Italian side: http://bit.ly/13BXG7H <S>#</S>usmnt