ESPN: Altidore misses Hull City match after showing up late

If you're like me, you scan all the foreign pro game rosters and news stories to keep tabs on US players abroad, and how they are doing. It's an ever present vigil, waiting for the day a US player becomes a bona fide "star" on a major European team. It's the reason I personally started following Fulham. It's why I followed Reading, and Everton, Benefica, and now Hull City.

The last in that list - Hull - carry many American fans' biggest hope. A 19-year old American with serious talent and physical presence, wearing the number 9 shirt, and challenging for a regular starting spot as a striker in the English Premier League - the best league in the world by most standards.

Well, how's this for a shocker to us all then. ESPN is reporting today that Altidore missed even making the bench because he was late arriving for the match! That information apparently was first revealed on the player's Twitter account, but has since been removed.

According to ESPN, it read:

"Apologize to the all of you. I showed up late. Made a big mistake I'm very very sorry.''

I guess we all make mistakes, but how on God's green earth do you show up late to an English Premier League match? I would own 10 alarm clocks, have a wake up service, and own a jet pack just in case. Heck, I'd probably just sleep in the locker room, not wanting to ever miss an opportunity to play in the big show - knowing every performance could be my last chance to catch my dream.

With his 20th birthday nearly hear, let's hope this is the last "teenager" left in the America's next great hope. The sky really is the limit for this kid in a man's body, and up until now, he seems to be doing everything right.

From this fan (and likly speaking for many others to whom you Twitter feed apologized to): You're forgiven Jozy, but DON'T EVER let it happen again. Remember this phrase when it comes to the biggest opportunity of your life - "an hour early is on time".