In a interview with the media, Jurgen Klinsmann discussed about Altidore in the Netherlands. On whether he’s been in contact with U.S. forward Jozy Altidore since the World Cup qualifiers: “We’ve had no further contact since then and I haven’t made up my mind yet if I’ll call him in for Russia.” More at: http://m.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2012/11/Klinsmann-Conference-Call-Nov-1.aspx
Yeah... actually the quote in the OP tells the exact opposite story. It indicates that Altidore IS on JK's mind.
I think the beef is still on and JK may still feel insulted by Altidore saying his tactics were garbage. I hope all has been forgiven but, you never know!
I think JK doesn't see Demps and Jozy on the field together at the same time - I don't, anyway, and great minds think alike Having said that, is Jozy a good replacement for Dempsey when Dempsey is unavailable? Not sure.
Jozy would replace Gomez in Klinsmann's preferred formation............................not Dempsey He's who we'd bring on instead of the Alan Gordon's of the world.
We actually only disagree on one major thing. You think Jurgen should be fired now. I think until we are in an untenable position he shouldnt be fired. (3 straight losses in the hex would do enough for me to see him let go)
I noted the same contrast in HoustonHoya's thread on the press conference. One terse sentence about Jozy. Multiple sentences about Chandler, Chandler's coach, and the kid's international decision-making process. Revealing with regards to priorities and player-coach personality issues, perhaps. The US has an internationally acclaimed striker as coach, who doesn't get along with arguably the best striker prospect the US has ever produced.
Gomez scurries all over the field on defence and offence. Jozy stays in a proscribed zone like Dempsey because he is primarily a goal scorer. I don't see Jozy and Gomez as interchangeable. I think that is the whole problem, isn't it, that Altidore doesn't replace Gomez?
Couldn't agree more. I think JKs decisions making has gone like this. 1. He wants to use Dempsey underneath the striker. He can use him out wide some, but prefers him underneath. Call in a #10, false #9, Joker, or whatever you want. 2. He prefers Gomez to Altidore as the striker ahead of Dempsey. Gomez works harder, has better close control, and make more frequent and more intelligent runs. Altidore doesn't work as hard or read the game quite as well (yet). So Jozy is really a bench player. A bench player who hasn't scored in about a year. And a bench player who lashes out at the manager and insults his tactics. And a bench player who likely isn't happy about being a bench player. A bench player who is disruptive off the field and unproductive on it. So why do we need to call in that player? He isn't helping us on the field and is hurting us off it. Asnwer: we don't need to call him in. Especially since EJ and Gordon produced. Boyd and Wondo both merit further looks. Until Jozy comes back with his tail between his legs, he is in the wilderness.
But he has the potential to do so much crap for us. I was hoping Jurgen would be the perfect mentor for Jozy, and that he would really start to flourish for the nats. Perhaps I need to readjust my expectations.
If more people would readjust their expectations they might be surprised now and again. I have average expectations of the team under Jurgen. I am hoping for long term results. Wont know till its over.
If I was Jozy the next time JK did call me in, I'd politely decline and say I'm concentrating on my club career, ala Chandler. Save yourself from the travel, put to rest any Verbeek/JK beef for the time being, let JK rely on Gomez and Gordon during the Hex and into the WC if that's what JK prefers. That'll come back to bite JK. But if JK isn't going to play you aside from as a sub with three DMids, and badmouth you in the media, just concentrate on your club career. Impress. Move on from AZ and break in in a better league. Jozy will be better for it. It's not like JK or the NT is actually helping him, and it's not like Jozy actually needs it. This isn't his last WC cycle. He's young. If you buy the argument this is Jozy's fault and he's not suited for the role JK has for him, that's fine. It's also not helping Jozy either. There's really not a good reason for Jozy to continue to go through this at the moment. Just stick at AZ and improve every day.
what? I dont think so. He has shown he has a lot to offer. he just needs to learn how to adjust his game from club football to international football. for some it is easier than others. even for messi it took time.
In May/June he was coming off a head injury which had him sidelined the last game for AZ, and then he was released a week late. Gomez rightly started over him, but then putting him out there with three DMids did nothing to help. It's not just that Jozy didn't play well, his coach also didn't do anything to put him in a position to succeed tactically. SweetLife, not saying retire permanently from international soccer, not at all. But take a break and concentrate on your club and becoming as good a player as possible? Wouldn't mind that at all. If Jozy doesn't currently fit into JK's tactics, and JK is also sending the message Jozy isn't even worth working with, hence not calling him in, then I don't see the benefit for Jozy right now to be taken away from his club. JK is basically sending the message Jozy isn't good enough right now. Not even good enough to call in and work with. Well, then concentrate on improving your game in Holland for the time being.
I said...Jozy Altidore said " I did not play well in June. I did not link up with my teammates and didnt play well." THats basically what HE said about HIS own play.