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| DOB : 03/01/1986 |
Position : Defender |
| Height :
6'0''
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Weight : 180 |
| Team : U.S. Men, U.S. U-23 Men |
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Position: Defender
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180 lbs.
Born: March 1, 1986,
Hometown: Arlington Heights, Illinois
Club: West Ham United (English Premier League)
A budding prospect for the senior national team as a defender, Spector originally entered U.S. Soccer’s U-17 Residency Program in 2002 as a forward. Soon, however, he was converted to defender, a move that immediately paid dividends for the young player. In his second match in the back, he was noticed by a Manchester United scout, leading to his eventual move to the EPL squad just a year later. Since playing in England, Spector has built his reputation as a hard worker and solid defender. He still shows those old instincts going forward, and is an excellent long passer and crosser of the ball.
• Named the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year for United in 2004, a prestigious honor for that recognizes the best academy player at MUFC.
• Became the youngest American to play for English Premier League giant Manchester United’s first team after being signed by the club in September of 2003 at the age of 17
• Invited to his first MNT camp in late 2004 after impressing in the youth ranks at Manchester United
• A member of U.S. Soccer’s U-17 residency program in Bradenton, Fla., he was a leader on the squad that finished fifth at the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Finland
• Played for the U.S. U-20s during the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in Holland
U.S. National Team – 2007: Made eight appearances in 2007 in various positions across the backline … A member of the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup winning squad … Started three games in that tournament, including the final against Mexico …Had to be withdrawn from that game in the 72nd minute after suffering a mild concussion … 2006: Made no appearances in 2006 for the national team, as a dislocated shoulder kept him out of action for much of the year … 2005: Got his first-ever World Cup qualifying start in the USA’s final match of the campaign, a 2-0 win against Panama on Oct. 12 in Foxboro … Trained with the team in Chicago prior to the match against England in the end of May … Started his second game in the USA’s final match of the year, a 1-1 draw against Scotland … 2004: Earned his first MNT cap with the senior squad in a qualifier in 2004, coming in as a sub for Steve Ralston in the 77th minute of a 1-1 draw against Jamaica on Nov. 17 at Columbus Crew Stadium … Under-20s: Due to club commitments with Manchester United, he did not participate in many U-20 camps … His only time with the U-20s before the World Youth Championship came during a camp in Bradenton, Fla., in January of 2004, where he played in two matches against MLS squads … Started the opening match of the 2005 WYC in Holland against Argentina, getting injured in the first half and having to be subbed out … Didn’t play again until the Round of 16 match loss against Italy … Under-17s: Began his stint with the team as a forward when he joined the full-time residency in the Spring of 2002, but moved to defender during the Ballymena International Tournament in Northern Ireland … Recorded 19 international appearances during his time in residency, including 11 starts … Started all four matches for the U.S. in the 2003 FIFA Under-17 World Championship in Finland … Previously spent time with the U.S. Under-16 Boys’ National Team in 2001 … First Appearance: Nov 17, 2004, vs. Jamaica
Professional – 2007-08: Continues to make frequent appearances for West Ham, often from the substitutes bench, as the Hammers continue to fight for a potential place in Europe … Conceded a penalty in a memorable game against Manchester United in December of 2007. He was vindicated, however, when Cristiano Ronaldo skewed the penalty wide and West Ham went on to comeback and win the game … Started West Ham’s first game of the season on August 11, away against Manchester City … 2006-07: Was sold to West Ham United for a deal initially worth £500,000 … At Upton Park, he was reunited with former manager Alan Curbishley … He endured a tough first season with West Ham United, making 27 total appearances as the team struggled immensely and only avoided relegation on the last day of the season … In that game, played against his former club Manchester United, Spector came off the bench to put in a solid defensive performance as West Ham went on to win and escape the drop … 2005-06: Loaned to Charlton Athletic for the 2005-06 campaign … Started his stint with Charlton in the training room with an injured hamstring … Appeared in eight league matches before the end of the year, getting his first start on Oct. 22 against Portsmouth … Finished the season by making 20 appearances in total for the club …2004-05: Earned his first start for United in a non-friendly, starting at left back against Dinamo Bucharest in a 2004 Champions League match ….2003-04: Played with the reserves before getting his initial appearance with the first-team in front of his hometown crowd in Chicago when Man. U played Bayern Munich in a friendly during a summer tour of the U.S. … Also played in United’s other matches during the tour against Celtic and AC Milan … Was named Man of the Match against Everton in just his second EPL appearance with Manchester United.
Personal: Lists his parents (Art and Rose) as his two biggest role models … Won the Kellog’s Bowl and the Nike Cup Nationals with Sockers FC … Enjoys playing the trumpet (mostly jazz) … Lists Old Trafford in Manchester as his favorite stadium.
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