It’s a near perfect photo.
After Jozy Altidore scored a cheeky chipped penalty kick goal (his second goal of the game) to lock up Toronto FC’s 3-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps this weekend, he ran to the endline and smiled up at the Whitecaps fans, who all lost their minds.
Included in that group was Whitecaps fan Kirsty Olychick, who took the opportunity to let Altidore know what she thought of him with a not-too-polite gesture. The moment was captured by Duncan Nicol of the Vancouver Southsiders, the team’s supporters group.
Olychick, for her part, is surprised by the response to the photo, but happy Altidore isn’t upset by her gesture.
“I don’t think he even noticed I was doing it, nothing was said to me at the time,” Olychick told the Sun by email Monday.
“I am completely surprised at the reaction it is getting and, thankfully, most of it is positive. I heard he was amused by the picture and really that is all that matters. If I had a chance to talk to him, I would make sure he wasn’t offended as it was nothing malicious. It is all in good banter.”
Altidore, for his part, loved it. He posted the photo to his Instagram, and after the game said it’s “up there” with his favorite photos he’s ever appeared in.
Again from the Sun:
“She’s awesome,” [Altidore] continued. “I know that it’s nothing malicious.
“It’s just cool. Without her it isn’t made. I’m sure people will look at it for a while down the road.”
Here’s the goal that spawned all the madness:
