Jozy Altidore is perhaps the American soccer player with the most potential. As of today, at just 20 years old, he’s got more potential than Freddy Adu or any other American playing in Europe.

The question though is can Altidore develop a soft touch and the ability to hold on to the ball with a certain deftness and skill. If there’s one thing that’s lacking in his game it’s his first touch on the ball. If you look at a player like Drogba, he’s big and fast but has exceptional skill on the ball. A clean first touch has to be Altidore’s focus.

As far as soccer boots, these days Altidore is wearing the shoe made famous by Lionel Messi. Perhaps some of Messi’s abundance of skill will rub off on Altidore. I’ve seen Altidore wearing the blue, red and the white adidas F50i TUNit shoes. Below, playing for Hull City, Altidore went with the white ones. Altidore is on loan right now but could return to Villarreal after the season.