American forward Jozy Altidore has a bruised back after colliding with a concrete barrier during a Dutch League game.
Altidore appeared to slip on the turf as he challenged for a ball in the 29th minute Wednesday of AZ Alkmaar's 1-1 tie with NEC Nijmegen, sliding across the grass and into a wall covered with a light layer of padding. Altidore was on the ground for several seconds while trainers attended to him, then was taken to the bench for treatment. He returned to Alkmaar with the rest of the AZ team.
''Thanks for all the support from you guys. Very painful accident but ill be ok and ready for the weekend if called upon by the manager,'' Altidore said Thursday on Twitter.
Altidore is AZ's top scorer with 15 league goals and 19 overall. The Cheese Farmers wrap up the season Sunday against Groningen, and Alitdore's publicist, Jeremy Pond, said the player is then looking forward to joining his American teammates. The U.S. team begins World Cup qualifying next month after exhibitions against Scotland, Brazil and Canada.
