Jozy Altidore scores quick brace against Trinidad

Jozy Altidore scored two goals in five minutes to put the United States out of reach.

Jozy Altidore has gone through a roller coaster of a season. After scoring in two international friendlies to start the calendar year, he didn’t score in his first eight MLS matches. He then injured his hamstring which kept him out of the Copa America Centenario, but his comeback since then has been incredible to watch.

At the club level, he’s been on an absolute tear, as he amassed a four-game goal streak at one point and was a nominee for Player of the Month. For the national team, Altidore was given the armband in Michael Bradley’s absence against St. Vincent, then scored from the penalty spot. But against Trinidad and Tobago, he made a much more meaningful contribution.

With the United States only leading 1-0 at halftime, the game was still within reach. They needed a win to advance to the Hexagonal, so someone had to step up. Altidore did so, and in the span of five minutes, a one-goal lead soon turned into a three-goal lead:

His second goal was noteworthy since it was assisted by Christian Pulisic who, at 17 years old, became the youngest player ever to start for the USMNT. You can hardly argue that he’s looked out of place.

If Altidore can keep scoring at this rate, while Pulisic and Jordan Morris continue to develop like this, the United States should be a favorite to win the Hexagonal. And in two years’ time, their youngsters are only going to get better. The USMNT has been trending upward recently, and everyone is excited about the development of the program. The next World Cup can’t come soon enough.

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