Brian McBride’s retirement from international soccer following a disappointing exit from 2006’s World Cup left a gapping 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. While Dempsey seemed comfortable as a target man, Donovan looks much better when given space to operate in the right midfield.

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 Feilhaber, 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.

To field its most effective squad, the U.S. must find a solution to the team’s lack of world-class forwards. Nearly all the eligible candidates are either completely untested or clearly not the long term answer.

The exception is New York Red Bulls 17-year-old forward Josmer Altidore, better known as Jozy.

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 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.

The Dutch league has a reputation for skillful attacking play, where Altidore could truly thrive, and the transition to life in Europe would also be eased by the presence of Bradley, a fellow American.

Additionally, the Eredivisie 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