Eddie Jonson scored 7 goals in his first 6 World Cup qualifiers.  Jozy Altidore has now scored 4 goals in his last 2 qualifiers. 

Watching Jozy score his hat trick against Trinidad & Tobago tonight reminded me of watching Johnson score his almost 5 years ago against Panama.  Both young (Eddie was 20, Jozy is 19), big, fast strikers, they seemed to represent a bright spot in the future of a US Men's national team that was struggling to find a replacement for the aging Brian McBride.

I sincerely hope that their similarities end there.  Eddie Johnson has been wholy inconsistent since that amazing start, netting only 6 more International goals in the last 5 years.  He now sees limited playing time for the struggling Championship side Derby County after a string of dissapointing seasaons in MLS and doesn't look to be figuring into Bob Bradley's plans any time soon.

Jozy showed a lot of confidence tonight, so let's hope he can continue this form going forward.  Four goals in two games might be enough to get him recalled to Villareal which is the level of club he should be playing at if he is going to be the future of the MNT strike force.

Overall it was a great win for the team and I was impressed all around.  I LOVE that Bradley started Beasly at left back - that same move in the El Salvadore game really brought the team to life.  Even though I'm not the biggest fan of Landon Donovan he had a better game, especially when he was combining with Beasley down the left flank.  Bradley looked dangerous coming out of midfield and Hejduk as usual was a madman.  I was also impressed with Ching, who I had the pleaseure of watching in person when the Houston Dynamo played our Austin Aztex last month.  His presence up front allowed Altidore the relief he needed to put 3 on the scoreboard. 

2010 can't come soon enough...