Altidore, U.S. aim to open eyes at Under-20 World Cup

	Jozy Altidore (left) has emerged as the main scoring threat of the U.S. Under-20 team, even more so than much-hyped Freddy Adu. AP
	U.S.' U-20 World Cup Schedule Date Opponent Time Site 6/30 South Korea 5 p.m. Montreal 7/3 Poland 5 p.m. Montreal 7/6 Brazil 7:30 p.m. Ottawa All times ET; Games to air on ESPNU

He's only 17.

That easily can be forgotten when you watch Jozy Altidore play -- the physical presence, the obvious talent. Or when you speak with him -- the poise, the maturity. Or see his "Impossible is Nothing" TV commercial for Adidas that runs during almost every soccer match broadcast in the U.S.

He's still only 17.

But in the span of just nine months, Altidore -- a striker for MLS' New York Red Bulls -- has emerged from intriguing prospect to the most talked-about U.S. soccer teenager not named Freddy Adu.

Altidore is one of the key pieces for a loaded U.S. Under-20 team, set to open play at the FIFA U-20 World Cup on Saturday against South Korea in Montreal. He's also the youngest member. It's a team that also features captain Adu, Michael Bradley (who played a huge role in the U.S.' Gold Cup triumph) and Gabriel Ferrari (who plays in Italy's Serie A for Sampdoria).

It's a U.S. team that has a chance to make a major impression on the world stage. And few players are in better position to take advantage of that than Altidore.

"It's a big opportunity for all of us to get the attention of a lot of the clubs around the world," says Altidore, who was born in New Jersey to Haitian parents. "We all want to make a big statement. We have the type of team to do that.

"If you look at one of my favorite players, John Obi Mikel, he had a big tournament [at the U-20 World Cup] two years ago. Now he's playing center mid for Chelsea. It definitely can be a launching pad for your career."

Altidore's career -- not to mention the expectations and hype surrounding it -- has taken off since he was first inserted into the Red Bulls' lineup as a 16-year-old last September. His first MLS goal came one week later, a 30-yard match-winning laser strike that beat Columbus. He helped pick up Bruce Arena's struggling team and carry it to the playoffs. In all, he scored four times, including two match-winners and another goal in the playoffs, in just nine appearances.

The scoring trend continued into the start of the 2007 season. Altidore scored twice in New York's first three games, both match-winners. And with all of his early success came more attention -- especially from opponents. Clearly New York's main threat up front, the 6-foot-1, 175-pound Altidore was getting pounded at every turn by MLS defenders.

But then came the deal that ultimately could prove to be one of the best things for Altidore's blossoming career, both on the club and international level. The Red Bulls signed Juan Pablo Ángel, a striker who once thrived through the wars of the English Premiership at Aston Villa. In one move, New York took all of the pressure off Altidore -- and gave him one of the best apprenticeships you possibly could find in American soccer.