BY JANE HAVSY
DAILY RECORD
Saturday, September 29, 2007

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MONTCLAIR -- Francis Doe may be just 21 years old, but he knows just what makes him a strong professional striker. It's his speed and footwork, and, Doe said shyly, "I'm good at finishing too."

He's shown just a bit of that for Red Bull New York in the past month. Doe has started the Red Bulls' last two matches, notching a goal and an assist against New England last Saturday. As Red Bulls striker Josmer Altidore continues to regain fitness following a calf strain, Doe is likely to start up front alongside Juan Pablo Angel again tonight against Real Salt Lake (7:30 p.m., FSC).

"He was a threat the whole game," Angel said of Doe, a 5-foot-8, 150-pound Liberian. "As the game went on, he felt comfortable and was gaining confidence. I'm sure he's going to be a very good player for us."

Red Bulls head coach Bruce Arena had hoped to sign Doe during the January transfer window. However, his previous club, Atromitos FC in the Greek Super League, refused to release him. Instead, Doe said team management "was embarrassing me," coming up with different issues that needed to be resolved before he could leave. Doe tried to be patient, catching occasional Red Bulls games on television in Europe.

After his Greek contract ran out, Doe trained with the Red Bulls for about a month before he was formally signed on Aug. 25. He made his Major League Soccer debut that same day, coming on as a 72nd-minute sub against New England.

After two more appearances off the bench, Arena shifted Doe into the starting lineup against Chicago two weeks ago. His speed matches well with that of Red Bulls rookie midfielder Dane Richards, and he provides a different look than either Angel or Altidore.

"(The delayed transfer) was very bad for me, because I wanted to get here on time," said Doe, who also spent two seasons with the Minnesota Thunder in the United Soccer League. "When I came, I tried to work my way through, to be okay. I'm getting better. ... I have to keep my head up, and every game be 100 percent, not one game good and one game bad. I have to be professional, work hard in training, be on time. It's important for me to stay focused."

Born on Christmas in 1985, Doe is considered the Red Bulls' third youth international, along with Richards (Jamaica) and midfielder Elie Ikangu (France). Yet Doe was called "Grandpa" while growing up. Named after his soccer-playing grandfather, Doe is the only member of his family to follow in those athletic footsteps.

Doe is one of four Liberian-born players currently in MLS. He was hoping to chat with one of the others, Real Salt Lake defender Willis Forko, this week. The younger brother of former MetroStars defender Sam Forko, Willis Forko went to high school in Houston and attended the University of Connecticut.

Doe was last in Liberia four months ago for an African Cup of Nations qualifying match. He has also represented his home country in World Cup qualifiers.

"I feel very happy, at this age, to play on the first team," he said with obvious pride. "I learned a lot, got more experience and more responsibility