By: Jason Minnick
October 25, 2006 Josmer Altidore spent the 2004 and 2005 seasons with the Super Y-League club Schulz Academy. Now he spends his mornings knocking balls around with World Cup champion Youri Djorkaeff and vying for MLS Cup 2006.
He tasted MLS playoffs for the first time this past Saturday.
“It’s hard to believe that at this time last year I was preparing for the Super Y-League Finals,” said Altidore. “I was leaning towards college at that point and MLS was not a concern of mine. I changed my mind when I was invited to play with the U17 National Team shortly after the Super Y-League finals. That’s when I really began to get noticed by MLS teams.”
“It was nice to start my first playoff game against a fellow national team guy in Freddy Adu,” added Altidore. “He and I share a lot of similarities.”
For many, or all, save Adu and Altidore – the jump from the Super Y-League to Major League Soccer may be a stretch, but both seem to be enjoying accelerating careers for the I-95 rivals. And Altidore has made the transition in less than a year.
“Playing in the Super Y-League was a huge part of getting me to the Major League Soccer level,” added Altidore. “When you can play at that kind of level it opens your eyes. You see who is out there. The competition really sped up my development. The North American Finals brought me exposure also, and anytime you can play in front of National Team scouts you have a better chance of making a name for yourself.”
The 2006 season has been a monumental year for the Super Y-League. Forget the standings and the outcomes and Tampa in November – forget the addition of the talent hotbed, Coast Soccer League to the Super Y-League. In 2006 the Super Y-League became the transition between youth and professional soccer in North America. The seed United Soccer Leagues planted in 1999 produced its first apple. Altidore chose the Big Apple.
“New York was a good place to start my career,” said Altidore. “I knew I wanted to play here because I have family in this area but playing in the North American Finals was definitely part of bringing me to Red Bull. They had MLS representatives at the North American Finals who helped get my name out there and get me noticed.”
By mirroring European club systems the Super Y-League has sprouted similarities with Major League Soccer.
“One thing MLS and the Super Y-League have in common are competitiveness,” said Altidore. “You can really tell you are going against the best when you are playing in the MLS and in the Super Y-League. The clubs bring the best. Players you know you are going to see again at the national team level.”
Adapting to the coaching styles of Bruce Arena should be a difficult transition between the Super Y-League and MLS but Altidore is quick to point out likenesses between Arena and Schulz Academy’s Director Josef Schulz.
“The respect everyone has for Arena is the only big difference,” said Altidore. “Bruce has done great things for the U.S. National Team but I would never go against Josef. He has never said anything to me about soccer that has not been accurate. I have a lot of respect for both of them.”
Schulz is quick to point out Altidore was not the only superstar in his pocket.
“We have many more players at Schulz Academy who will very soon make an impact in professional soccer,” said Schulz. “Josmer was the first one and I am so happy for him to continue his development on the pro level. I am very confident that the U.S. National Team will make a big impact at the World Cup 2010 and especially 2014, hopefully with some players from Schulz Academy.”
“I got a sneak peak of my former U16 team a few weeks ago,” said Altidore. “I was down there and I don’t think they saw me but I did. They look good. They definitely have ability.”
He’s probably not the only one watching.
