Josmer "Jozy" Altidore used his vacation from his stressful season 2007 (Top Scorer of the U-20 World Cup, where he scored both goals in the 2-1 victory vs. Brazil, debut in the Men’s National Team vs. South Africa in South Africa, Training Camp with the Olympic Team in China 2 weeks ago, and professional soccer season in the MLS with Red Bull New York) for a light training and get together with some of his former team mates of Boca Juniors and Schulz Academy.
"It was fun to be in a training session with coach Josef again, and it reminded me of the good old times", Josmer said after a light 80 minutes technical training with some of his former team mates, Matt Luzunaris, and Nathan Jocelyn.
"As much as I like professional soccer, and I am full filling my dream to be able to play on the professional level, I always will remind my roots, and how much fun it was to play my early and important years of soccer with Boca Juniors and Schulz Academy. At each of the many practices with Josef, there was always something I picked up and I can use now on the professional level", continues Josmer.
"It was a great feeling to have a former player on the field again, who made it already in an early stage of his career with 17 to the Men’s National Team. In general he stayed the same likeable, great kid, he just grew into a extremely athletic body. He is almost as tall as I am now, and I am 6’5". No wonder most of the defenders have fear in their eyes when they see him", says Dr. Schulz, who was Josmer’s coach for 8 years.
"Josmer is the proto type of a target player in modern soccer. Tall, strong, fast, technically excellent, both feet, threat in the air, deadly crosses with both feet, powerful shot, extremely good understanding of the game, and most important: he can score goals. I used the opportunity at the weekend to look at my notes (I make notes for every single game I coach) of the games of Josmer starting when he was 8. In average he scored more or less 100 goals per year in different competitions. His experience of scoring goals even in early years was amazing. He developed already the necessary "killer instinct" in front of the goal in a very young age. I always was right with my predictions, although many people thought I am crazy when I said some years ago, that Josmer will be better than Adu, when Adu was "the big thing in America". I am sure Josmer will be one of the Superstars at the 2010 World in South Africa", is Dr. Schulz convinced of his former student.
Josmer is aspiring many of his former team mates at Schulz Academy. Matt Luzunaris is following Josmer to become pro, leaving on January 4th to Europe to join a professional club. Nathan Jocelyn, a former ODP Region III player during his time with Schulz Academy, now like Matt Luzunaris, student at Central Florida University, also mentioned to Josef, that in summer 2008 he wants to become pro.
"Through my professional years as a player, coach and manager in Europe I have the contacts in Europe to offer to good players professional opportunities. I am sure a player like Matt Luzunaris with hard work can make it in Europe. He is only 18, has a lot of heart, and I believe in him" describes Dr. Schulz the new trend at his academy.
Josmer "Jozy" Altidore playing a joggling game with his old friends.
Josmer and some of his former team mates exchange funny stories from the past.
Josmer talks with Josef about his last 2 years as a professional
Donovan Henry and Bryan Sylvesytre staying fit at Schulz Academy during their vacation from their U-17 National Team Residency Program.
