Altidore Reborn in Win Over Germany

On This Day in 2013, the American's Drought-Breaking Goal Helped Power the U.S. to a Memorable Victory Over a World Power

Following their disappointing and concerning performance against Belgium three days earlier, the United States Men's National Team found themselves at a crossroads with World Cup qualifying matches looming. The embarrassing 4-2 defeat had exposed defensive frailties and raised serious questions about the direction of Jurgen Klinsmann's program. Perhaps most troubling was the continued scoring drought of Jozy Altidore, who, despite netting 31 goals for Dutch club AZ Alkmaar this season, hadn't scored for his country since November 2011.

"There is definitely some urgency," midfielder Graham Zusi said, "but there is an urgency to get back on the field as well to make up for some wrongs." They needed to right those wrongs and answer some questions, and they needed to do that quickly, with three crucial World Cup qualifiers approaching over 12 days.

By mid-afternoon on June 2, with RFK Stadium sold out for U.S. Soccer's centennial celebration against Germany, those answers came emphatically. When Zusi delivered a perfect cross from the right flank in the 13th minute, Altidore was positioned perfectly. The moment coincided with the breaking of his 18-month international scoring drought as he one-timed a powerful right-footed volley into the right side of the net. He celebrated by kneeling on the end line and pulling back an imaginary bow to shoot an arrow, symbolically hitting a target that had eluded him for so long.

"The ball makes the goal," Altidore said with characteristic humility after the match. "The ball from Graham Zusi was fantastic. I just had to be there."

The goal shifted momentum dramatically in the Americans' favor. Just three minutes later, in a moment of remarkable fortune, German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen allowed a routine back pass from Benedikt Höwedes to slip past him and into the net. The comical own goal put the U.S. up 2-0 and energized the crowd of 47,359 fans who packed the stadium.

Though Heiko Westermann would pull one back for Germany with a six-yard header early in the second half, the Americans controlled much of the match despite facing the world's second-ranked team. Altidore's influence grew beyond his breakthrough goal as he turned provider for Clint Dempsey. Fighting for possession deep in German territory and drawing defenders, Altidore spotted his unmarked captain at the top of the 18-yard box and lofted a perfect ball that Dempsey blasted into the net to restore the two-goal advantage.

Five minutes later, Dempsey showcased his individual brilliance. In what seemed like a harmless position, he began toying with Lukas Podolski, carved out space, and unleashed a swerving 25-yard rocket into the upper left corner. The goal was Dempsey's second of the match and his 35th for his country, moving him into second place on the USA's all-time scoring list behind only Landon Donovan.

"That is what a striker needs—a striker needs goals to feel good about himself," Klinsmann remarked afterward about Altidore. The coach, facing his birth nation for the first time since taking over the U.S. program, added that Altidore is "strong in the air and technically very, very gifted."

Despite late goals from Max Kruse and Julian Draxler in the 79th and 81st minutes that made the final score seem closer than the match actually was, the U.S. had accomplished something significant. They had outclassed a soccer power, albeit one missing several key players, and rediscovered their confidence at the perfect moment.

For Altidore, the performance confirmed what his club form had suggested—that he was developing into the complete forward the U.S. program desperately needed. His ability to hold up play, bring teammates into the attack, and finish chances with power and precision would be crucial for the upcoming qualifying campaign.

"I honestly feel like I have been doing the right things," Altidore said. "It's just a matter of being patient and waiting for the chances."

The victory provided a vital boost to a U.S. team experiencing growing pains under Klinsmann. As goalkeeper Tim Howard noted, "Morale, motivation, the feel-good factor, all of that is going to play a huge role. I don't think that can be understated because going down to Jamaica is not going to be easy."

Indeed, attention quickly turned to the critical World Cup qualifier against Jamaica on Friday—the first of three qualifiers in 12 days that will largely determine the Americans' fate in their quest for a seventh consecutive World Cup berth. With the U.S. currently sitting third in the six-team CONCACAF qualifying group (1-1-1), points are at a premium.

"We take confidence from this game, and we have got to make sure we get the job done in these next three games," Dempsey emphasized. "Whether we won these two friendlies, not won these two friendlies, it all matters what we do in these next three games. That is what it is all about."

For Altidore and his teammates, the road to Brazil begins in earnest in Kingston in five days, where they'll hope to build on the momentum from their centennial celebration and continue their redemption story.