Jozy Altidore has been criticized plenty lately, but there is no criticism for him at this moment. That is because the 21-year-old was able to turn and strike, beating Canada goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld for the opening goal of this Gold Cup Group C match. It is Altidore's 11th goal for the United States and just 14 minutes into the Americans' Gold Cup campaign, they are one goal up.
USA Vs. Canada, Gold Cup 2011: Jozy Altidore Gets USMNT On The Board
Landon Donovan is the one who played Altidore in with a long ball over the top. Kevin McKenna had the chance to step up and get Altidore caught offside, but he didn't. Altidore ran onto Donovan's perfect ball in the box and took two quick touches before turning and firing at goal. It was a good play by Altidore to touch, turn and fire a shot with pace, but the shot was one that Hirschfeld should have gotten down to make the save on. He didn't though and Altifore had himself a goal.
So early in a match it is tough to say that a goal is so very much deserved, but it was a very much deserved goal for the U.S. They have completely dominated Canada in the early going, already peppering several shots towards the goal and getting four corner kicks while the Canucks haven’t even been able to get any possession whatsoever. The U.S. has one, but the way this one is going they will get a few more before long.
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