Jozy Altidore’s Soccer Challenges Include Racism - NYTimes.com

'Racism In Football Is Not A Little Problem'
Jozy Altidore of AZ during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Roda JC Kerkrade and AZ Alkmaar at the Parkstad Limburg Stadium on february 16, 2013 in Kerkrade, The Netherlands(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Jozy Altidore of AZ during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Roda JC Kerkrade and AZ Alkmaar at the Parkstad Limburg Stadium on february 16, 2013 in Kerkrade, The Netherlands(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON — For the first 20 minutes, Jozy Altidore talked effortlessly about racism, his thoughts and feelings on the subject clearly well honed.

In an interview in a hotel restaurant here last weekend, Altidore, a striker for the United States soccer team, navigated some difficult memories with ease. The game in January during which thousands of Dutch league fans chanted monkey noises at him? He seemed unfazed by the recounting. The vile language he heard at an under-17 tournament? He did not blink as he described the hateful scene.

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