Altidore adjusting to heavier burden 
More than once during our recent sit-down interview above adidas' flagship Manhattan store, Jozy Altidore was quick to downplay the widely held assumption that he'll be in the starting lineup when the Americans' World Cup campaign kicks off against England on June 12.
"I have to make the team first, before we get into any of that," Altidore insisted. That's exactly what he's supposed to say. But as the top striker on coach Bob Bradley's 30-man preliminary roster, the 20-year old is as surefire a lock for the final 23 as Landon Donovan or Tim Howard.
To see how Bradley might deploy Altidore, get Jozy's thoughts on potentially playing as a lone striker and find out which forward's fitness could keep him off the roster -- plus get a weekly update on the projected starters -- you must be an ESPN Insider.
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U.S. National Soccer Team Blog
We're your regular source for all the inside info on the U.S. national team. Whether it's breakdowns of player pool developments, news and notes from the club soccer world and its impact on the American side, or game coverage, we'll bring you consistent, exclusive access and insight. Contact us with comments and tips at ESPNUSSoccerblog@gmail.com.
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Doug McIntyre
Doug McIntyre has watched or attended almost every U.S. national team game since Paul Caligiuri's "shot heard 'round the world" in 1989. He is a staff writer for ESPN The Magazine and has covered American and international soccer since 2002.
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