let's give credit to Boa Morte who mentally dominated ManU from the opening whistle. I can't BELIEVE it was Specs making those long runs, dare I say KAKAesque, through the midfield in the first half? That perfectly timed header? That instinctual attack in the box for the score? Did the boy find a lady? take samba classes? lose a bet with Michael Jordan's booky? what gives? Might be the greatest night for a Yank in the Carling cup...ever.
This is seriously a candidate for the greatest feel good story in American soccer history. I say this, because there has hardly been a player more sh*t on than Spector........even his supporters here had given up hope on him to ever do anything in the Prem. again...he looked to be on a permanent downslope, ticket back to MLS or worse. To do this from midfield, scoring 2 goals (and nice goals, not garbage) against his former club Man U....getting booed like usual from his own freakin' fans... and for years, Spector has been the model citizen...you never hear anything bad about him or his behavior... This might not have been the situation with the most consequences, but it is certainly as unlikely and heartwarming an American soccer story that you will ever find (if you truly understand and have suffered thru the backstory). Incredible. How great for Jon. Its like he unleased all in one night all that bottled sh*t poured on him over the past few years, and let it flow thru his soccer veins and boots like some sort of soccer version of Heaven Can Wait
John O'Shea's effort between Spector's 2 legit goals may have been the worst shot of all time. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TtruzMfXZU&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube - John O'Shea shot v West Ham - worst shot ever[/ame]
This play wasn't too bad either. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_is9XU2yeA"]YouTube - HARKES v DERBY Sheff Wed Sheffield Wednesday[/ame] That's Peter Shilton between the pipes.
Good for Jon--couldn't happen to a nicer guy. The switch also explains why he hadn't been in the club lately as well, moving to a new position. I agree with whoever said put him up top. Or on the left and Dempsey up, or heck, let's just play the ever popular 3-7-0 formation.
The turnabout from the pre-game to the in-game was awesome. A classic story by Anton Chekhov comes to mind. http://chekhov2.tripod.com/018.htm Kaka doesn't play this deep. This was more like ... well, you're in Germany, remember the guy with number 5 on his shirt?
Review your Kaka greatest hits, he starts his gallop at midfield with those long strides and within seconds is facing the goal for the shot. One example, of which there are many: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hom8lRJ_-Sc"]YouTube - Ricardo kaka run 02[/ame]
Wow. Well, I am happy for him. Whenever I saw him play in defence over the past 2 years I expected the worst. As a defender, he lacks confidence and is prone to making costly mistakes. He proved today that he needs to be cast in the original role further up. Hope Bob saw this. No more Spector at right D. Right or center Mid is the spot.
I just put up the full match for those that missed it: http://watchsocceronline.blogspot.com/2010/11/watch-full-match-spector-with-west-ham.html
as for the guys at kumb, that Manchester United v West Ham thread is by far and away the most hilarious in that boards history. I spit my beer out and couldnt stop laughing for like.....5 minutes. especially from pages 10-25.
You gotta love this post from early in the thread, when people were bitching at seeing Spector in the midfield lineup: "This is the kind of situation that Americans love though. A down and out RB, asked to play DM against his old club/one of the top clubs in the world...overcomes adversity by sewing up their strike force and putting two in from the corner. Someone some where is already writing this up as the script to Green Street 3." Pretty prescient!
The real question is how long before we start seeing threads demanding that Spector start in the center of the midfield for the USA.... that Bob has been holding him back for the sake of Mikey... and that Spector is the answer to all our problems.
Those were two great goals. I read the entire thread on KUMB and with the benefit of knowing the outcome enjoyed every bit of it. Hopefully Spector builds on this and can make an impact in the league, making this the Phoenix Rising story of the Yanks Abroad season. Sometimes this game makes you smile.
I'm always skeptical of worst and best ever claims, but this may indeed be the worst shot ever! Quite amusing! Well done, Jonathan Spector. Keep it up! You look like a middie to me!