As he sat on the bench watching his Hull side claw back into a game against Bolton that seemed lost on Tuesday, I wonder what was going through the mind of Jozy Altidore. Substituted after 54 minutes, the 20-year-old no doubt was cheered by the Tigers' comeback but likely was frustrated that he played no part in it.

There are conflicting current consensuses regarding Altidore. A positive one is that the 20-year-old is developing as an all-around player while leading the line for one of the worst teams in the Premier League; his struggles in front of goal are understandable given the lack of service he is getting from a midfield that, without the injured Jimmy Bullard and the out-of-favor Geovanni, struggles for creative inspiration.

The alternative, less complimentary view: Altidore is cutting an increasingly forlorn figure as he fails to make the most of the opportunity he has to play in one of the best leagues in the world, and that 15 games in England's top flight is too long without a goal for a player of his ability.

Few players in the soccer world are beyond criticism, so in that respect a midseason report card that reads "could do better" is a fair assessment of Altidore. However, claims that he isn't consistently putting in the work necessary to succeed are an unfair slight. First and foremost, that Altidore continues to play -- of Hull's strikers, only Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink has featured in as many games -- is an endorsement that the team's coaches are satisfied with what they have seen in matches and on the training field. And a poor attitude isn't something I've ever heard associated with Altidore.

Furthermore, the players around Altidore also have a bearing on his fortunes. Against Bolton, for example, could he have achieved more alongside Vennegoor of Hesselink? Although his legs are slowing down, Vennegoor of Hesselink remains an intelligent player with whom it would be easier to form a partnership than, say, Craig Fagan, whose game is based more on hustle and hard work.

Meanwhile, as they chased the game, Hull threw more caution to the wind in midfield, where the creative minds of Nick Barmby and Geovanni helped inspire a comeback while playing in positions vacated by the more workmanlike Richard Garcia and Seyi Olofinjana. From Altidore's point of view, I think I know with which duo he'd prefer to play.

Of all the jobs that exist in the Premier League, playing up front for Hull is one of the toughest, especially for an inexperienced player with almost no previous experience playing top-flight soccer. This isn't to say Altidore couldn't have made a stronger impression -- zero goals in 15 games, with just three of 18 shots on target, is a disappointing return. But with continued application and hard graft, his current travails will be good for Altidore in the long run.

The learning curve might be steep, but that Altidore remains on it is a positive in itself. Consider the alternatives. Had he stayed at Villarreal, would he start ahead of Giuseppe Rossi, Joseba Llorente or Nilmar? It's unlikely he'd get much more than a cameo here and there, which, in a World Cup year, would be unthinkable for U.S. fans.

Jon competes well versus Lennon

A few weeks after Tim Howard struck a blow for the U.S. by saving a penalty from England's Jermain Defoe, Jonathan Spector was given a chance to impress against another member of Fabio Capello's likely World Cup squad when he came up against Aaron Lennon on Monday.

Spector entered the game against Tottenham as a 19th-minute substitute for Herita Ilunga in the first half, by which time Lennon had already terrorized the West Ham backline on more than one occasion, most notably when he created a goal for Luka Modric. The winger, who had beaten Spector to net the winning goal in the teams' previous meeting in August, would continue to threaten all afternoon. But to the American's credit, he wasn't again the consistent threat he had been during the game's first quarter.

Of course, Spurs won the game comfortably, a result that damaged West Ham's hopes of staying in the Premier League. However, on a day of few positives for Hammers fans, supporters of the U.S. were cheered by the defensive display of one their nation's left-back candidates against the man likeliest to start on the right of England's midfield when the two sides meet in Rustenburg on June 12. Unable to match Lennon's pace, Spector opted to stand off and, by avoiding too many rash challenges, was able to contain his man.

After starting against Manchester United earlier this month, Spector had failed to get off the bench in each of the next four games. Ilunga might be back sooner than first feared, so chances to impress might continue to be hard to come by for the Illinois native. However, when his name was called at White Hart Lane, at least he was able to restore some confidence, which could come in handy this summer in South Africa.

A thing that made me go hmmm …

As we move from one year into the next, it's time to make some predictions. A few thoughts on what we might see in 2010, starting with some World Cup forecasts:

• It's hardly a surprise pick, but I'm going for Spain to win it all; the Spanish reserves would beat most country's first teams. As for the U.S., I think Bob Bradley's men will finish second in Group C, eventually bowing out after pushing Germany hard in the second round. Beyond that, I think Mexico could do well, as could Paraguay. And Nigeria has what it takes to be the most successful of the African teams.

• Domestically, Los Angeles is my team to beat in MLS. Philadelphia could emulate Seattle and reach the playoffs in its first year. I also think New York could be an interesting team to watch. The Red Bulls will want to make a splash in their new stadium, which means there could be a big name or two on the way to The Big Apple.