Villarreal's Jozy Altidore admits that 2009 was a tough year for him but mainly due to problems arising off the soccer pitch.
The USA international, who is in the final squad for the World Cup, had to deal with the Haiti earthquake disaster as well as trying to find form on field and said it was an exhausting time.
"My mom was struggling for a long time," Altidore, whose parents are Haitian, said. "My dad's a very strong guy. Fortunately enough, she heard from her brother, and that was one of the best days of her life.
"It definitely changed my perspective," he added. "It was a tough year for me as a whole. Soccer. Life. Off the field. Everything. I don't feel 20. I feel about 35."
Altidore, who spent the season on loan with English Premier League club Hull City, is planning to work hard to so he can make an impact at the World Cup and change outside views that he is a lazy player.
"First impressions are key," said Altidore. "And when [coaches] see your demeanor and how you're laid back, they think a certain way. But either way, there's no excuse. I have to make sure that, whatever environment I go to, I have to adjust to them, and not them adjust to me."
