NOAH DAVIS – Jozy Altidore is on his way to AZ Alkmaar, the striker’s fifth club since leaving the New York Red Bulls in 2008.

It will be the place where the striker breaks out.

The Dutch club finished 4th in the Eredivisie, good enough for a spot in the third round of Europa qualifying. Gertjan Verbee will once again manage the squad in the 2011-2012 season, but his boss is a bigger reason why the young American striker will flourish.

Ernie Stewart – yes, that Ernie Stewart – is the club’s technical director. He will ensure his newest acquisition (assuming it all goes through okay) gets a chance, especially with last year’s high scorer Kolbeinn Sigþórsson departing for Ajax.

And a chance, perhaps, is all Jozy needs.

You get the sense Altidore is ready. He scored a magical goal during the Gold Cup, one born out of anger and frustration. He needs a place where he feels comfortable, and hopefully Stewart can help provide that scenario. The 21 year old isn’t running out of time, but he does need to find consistency and a happy home. The trials and tribulations (and ultimate redemption) of Freddy Adu can provide inspiration. So can 90 minutes regularly.

“We want to attract young players and facilitate them in training in the hope that they later produce something,” Stewart say of his charge.

Now it’s up to Altidore to make that happen. Here’s saying he can.

(My track record for this type of thing is not great. I called 2010 The Year of Stuart Holden, which was going great until he got hurt against the Netherlands. So we’ll call that half right?)

 

by noah