THE UNIVERSITY DARY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2007
SPORTS
3B
COMMENTARY
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jozy Altidore, center, will be counted on by U.S. soccer fans to become the great striker the Men's National Team needs. At only 17 years old, Altidore is the youngest player in the MLS and may soon compete in Europe.
Future seen in 17-year-old
Brian McBride's retirement from international soccer following a disappointing exit from 2006's World Cup left a gaping hole in the makeup of the U.S. National Team lineup.
Despite the development of an impressive array of midfielders, defenders and goalkeepers, the U.S. lacks the final piece that could propel the team to more than just glory in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football Gold Cup. Last Wednesday's friendly with Sweden only made that need more obvious.
Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan, both midfielders, were partners at forward, forcing the midfield to shuffle to accommodate for their absence. Dempsey seemed comfortable as a target man. Donovan looks much better when given space to operate in the right midfield.
BY ANDREW WIEBE
KANSAN COLUMNIST
AWIEBE KANSAN.COM
The exception is New York Red Bulls 17-year-old forward Josmer Altidore, better known as lozy.
To field its most effective squad, the U.S. must find a solution to the team's lack of worldclass forwards. Nearly all the eligible candidates are either completely untested or clearly not the long term answer.
Altidore has scored eight goals and has distributed four assists in only 17 games in his first full season in Major League Soccer. Five of those appearances came as a substitute. His scoring record
Part of the U.S. success in the Gold Cup resulted from the wide play of Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley, who provided quality service from both sides while stretching defenses to create open space. With Donovan up front, Benny Felihaber, the hero of the Gold Cup final, was forced from central midfield to the right, splitting up a previously successful partnership between himself and defensive midfielder Michael Bradley.
looks even more impressive considering Altidore's stellar play in this summer's Under-20 World Cup. Scoring four goals in five games tied him for third-highest scorer in the tournament.
Altidore's combination of skill, size and speed has made him a hot commodity. He recently indicated that he would be open to a European move when he turns eighteen, if it represents the best situation for him.
In order to develop into a player who can help take the U.S. to international success, Altidore must gain experience playing against the best players in the world. Like it or not, MLS cannot provide the level of competition that domestic leagues in Europe can provide a young player like Altidore. In the long run, a move can only benefit Altidore's professional goals and future with the Men's National Team.
As Altidore said, the key is to move to a club and league that can maximize abilities. Altidore's offensive skill, relative youth and desire for first-team appearances make him likely to move to Holland or Portugal.
Though a reunion with fellow World Cup star Freddy Adu in Portugal sounds interesting. Holland is Altidore's best option at this point in his career. A move to SC Heerenveen, Bradley's club, of the Dutch Eredivisie, could be the best possible situation for Altidore.
Europe would also be eased by the presence of Bradley, a fellow American.
The Dutch league has a reputation for skillful attacking play, where Altidore could truly thrive, and the transition to life in
Additionally, the Eredivise has a reputation for producing top forwards like Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Dennis Bergkamp, and Ruud van Nistelroy. Heerenveen's own Brazilian striker, Afonso Alves, led Holland in scoring last season with 34 goals.
Alves' success creates a potential opportunity for Altidore. As a modest club, Heerenveen resisted Alves' request to be sold to a larger club this summer. Chances are not good that he will be at the club after January's transfer window closes. The funds generated from the sale of Alves would certainly be more than enough to convince MLS to part with its most promising young star.
In any case, Altidore will undoubtedly be linked with a number of European clubs this winter. His future will come down to which club and league he believes represent the best fit for his abilities.
Regardless of where Altidore winds up, one thing is sure. He will be playing his club soccer in Europe sooner rather than later.
Altidore has shown enough to convince many that he can become the kind of attacker that can take U.S. soccer to new heights. Dempsey and Donovan may be effective options against North American opponents, but in order to beat European and South American powers the U.S. must find a world-class forward to maximize the team's potential.
Altidore's youth makes his future impossible to predict, but American soccer fans believe he may be the kind of player that helps the U.S. challenge soccer's traditional elites.
Edited by Rachael Gray
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Sophomores get older, wiser Henrickson confident second-year players are set to shine
BY TAYLOR BERN tbern@kansan.com
PREP TIME
With a successful trip to Australia under its belt and weeks left before Late Night in the Phog, the women's basketball team is keeping busy with strength training and a little time on the court with the coaching staff.
According to NCAA rules, players can spend only eight hours a week with coaches. Coach Bonnie Henrickson divides that time up for her team, giving them six hours in the weight room and two hours on the court.
Rules also state that in these early sessions there can be only four players on the court at a time, so Henrickson brings in groups of post players together and guards together.
Outside of their time with the coaches, all the players take time on their own to play pick up basketball games or work on shooting drills.
A DAUNTING TASK
Although pick-up games could result in unnecessary injury (see: Brandon Rush), Henrickson feels that it's necessary at this time of year to get in shape.
"The work they need to do is more important than the risk of injury. I'm more concerned with the fact that they don't play enough defense in pick-up games," Henrickson said.
The official schedule for the 2007- 08 season has been finalized and it includes 14 teams that participated in postseason play last season.
Ten NCAA qualifiers and four Women's NIT participants are slated to square off with the Jayhawks, starting with the regular season opener in Lawrence on Nov. 11 against WNIT qualifier Hartford.
To get through its difficult schedule, Kansas will rely heavily on the six sophomores who came in together last year and took their bumps and bruises as freshmen.
"It was a baptism by fire, but everybody lived to tell about it. In the long run it's going to be really good for them, which in turn is really good for us," Hendrickson said.
The players she's referring
The players to are Sade Morris, Danielle McCray, Porscha Weddington, Kelly Kohn, Rebecca Feickert and LaChelda Jacobs.
Last season Henrickson
played three or four of her freshmen on the court at one time, which forced the youngsters to learn on their feet.
"Heading into this year, I'm cautiously optimistic that all of that work and all of those experiences
Morris
will help these kids be better their somhomore year" Henrickson said.
The coach has her eyes on a few sophomores in particular: McCray, Weddington and Morris.
Morris and Weddington impressed the coaching staff with their effort since the end of the '06- 07 year.
McCray led the squad with 21 points per game in Australia, working exclusively on the perimeter. Last year, McCray spent most of her time in the post, and Henrickson wanted her to improve her outside game.
"Sade Morris has a chance for a breakout year. Porscha Weddington had a great summer and spring. Those two, to me, were the two brightest spots." Henrickson said.
GOING ABROAD
Former Kansas standout guard Shaquina 'Shaq' Mosley, who used up her eligibility last season, could be traveling overseas after this semester.
Mosley is taking two classes at Kansas this semester to graduate, and the coaches are currently helping her find a spot overseas on a professional team.
"We feel like she's talented enough to play overseas," Henrickson said. "We've just got to find the right situation for her."
Edited by Kyle Carter
CROSS COUNTRY
Teams gear up for invitational
tpassmore@kansan.com
BY TYLER PASSMORE
tpassmore@kansan.com
that we know the course."
"I think they're ready to go."
Redwine said. "It will be a great opportunity to exceed and it helps
As Saturday's season opener approaches, the cross country team is hard at work. Coach Stanley Redwine along with Colby Wissel and Hayley Harbert took time Tuesday to talk about this upcoming event.
Directions to
The course will be advantageous for returning All-American Colby Wissel. The last time Wissel stepped foot on Rim Rock Farm was last year when he was runner up at the Bob Timmons Invitational.
"Rim Rock is a very tough course and especially early in the year." Wissel said. "I think since it is our home course that we have run so much, we will be able to dodge some of the pitfalls that the other teams might run into."
1.Start by going north on Massachusetts St across the bridge
1.Turn right after curve and continue north on KS Highway 24/59
2.Turn right onto E 1400 Rd / CR-1045
3.E 1400 Rd / CR-1045 becomes 1045
4.Turn left onto 13th
5.Turn right on Republic Rd
6.Republic Rd becomes Republic St
7.Turn right onto Burnett Lane
—kuathletics.com
Wissel
The Bob Tim mons Invitational begins Saturday at 9 a.m. at Rim Rock Farm, located North of
Lawrence on Highway 40.
race and that's all that's important," Redwine said.
longer be the off-season but instead the birth of another chase for a title. While inexperience is evident, Redwine and the women's team don't seem to pay much attention.
While knowing the course like the back of their hands, there will be a sense of urgency to continue to ride their wave of success.
Edited by Ashlee Kieler
This year's women's team will feature youth and lots of it. When the gun sounds Saturday, it will no
"They just need to focus on the