Plays for a mid-top team in the Dannish league (which probably compares to MLS). Since arriving last year, he has started every match at Left Back. There are rumors of interest in him from the top Dannish sides and mid-level Bundesleague teams. He turned down a BL offer (forget which side, but a middle of the table side) this summer to stay in Denmark for one more year and get consistent first-team playing time. He is reported to be blazing fast with 20 second (or even sub-20 second) 200M times. If you look at his Best XI on YA.com, he reports that he is in contact with the US National Team coaches (junior and senior) and fully expects to play for the US one day. Needless to say, he's got a high opinion of his abilities and seems to be performing up to that standard so far. He's definately a strong one to watch for the 2010 squad.
I here this kid has impressed a lot of people in Denmark, and they expect big things to come from him.
I've never seen him play, but he seems to get very good match ratings. We are weak at left back so if he can fill the gap all the better. -
Wow. Although I've heard of this kid, I frankly know little about him. He might be a revelation for this WC. Left outside back is still a question mark for our team. Hi Bocanegra. Hi Lewis. Hi Hejduk.
He's not a big guy but is alleged to have run 10.85sec 100m, which would make him pretty darn fast. BTW, the offer was to go K-lautern's junior team and so he stayed with Mit-land.
Thanks for the info there. He made a good choice to stay home. I believe there are rumors floating around the table-toppers in Denmark are interested in him for this winter transfer window. He confirmed his 100m time in another interview I saw-- he's clearly blazing fast.
I'm very interested in seeing him get some time vs. Scotland. I have never seen any video of him playing (has anyone? have any links???). But the fact that Bundesliga sides tried to sign him shows how good he is. He is a Bundesliga level (at least) left back. And, wouldn't ya know it, the USMNT has no left back. Seems like a GREAT callup by Arena to me.
He gets the occasional thread on YA: Here is the last one: https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=250691&page=1&pp=15 IIRC, rowray played on the same team with Heath at some point, so you might do a search on his posts also.
WHOOOOO BOY will I be watching him closely on saturday. If this kid has an ounce of touch Hejduk should be MIA.
Jonathan Spector. While I would prefer Jonathan in the middle, how can you say that we have no left back when we have a kid starting at left back in the Premiership?
I agree he's an excellent call-up, but unless his level of play goes up (perhaps through a winter transfer), I suspect Bruce is only thinking of him as a contingency in case of injuries on the left side. Heath lacks the international experience necessary for the WC. IIRC, he missed the U-20 WC by only a few months on his age. I'm not sure, but he may also be just above the cut-off for the Olympics in 2008. So, Bruce needs to camp him to keep him integrated in the US system-- he's out of the picture for any more youth events.
Because Spector is a defensive utility man like Bocanegra, or at least that's how he gets played on the field. From what little I've seen of Spector for Charlton this season (a couple FSC games), he was playing right back. I'm sure he probably played some left back or center back as well, but I saw him at right back. For the US vs. Panama, he was right back (though he was left back vs. Jamaica). I believe he is right footed (is this true?). He can play left back, and is probably better than the out of position Bocanegra there, but he is not a natural left back. Heath Pearce may be.
Heath IS a left back and is unlikely to ever be anything else. JS is best suited for the left side of the center (although that conflicts a bit with a certain 6'4" 230 beast we have currently manning that spot for the Nats for the foreseeable future). John's going to make his mark with the US through his versitility. Heath, if he has a future, will only be playing LB. We are very thin at that position, so it's not foolish to take a look at more options, even if they are young. Right now, it's pretty clear that JS is well above Heath in the pecking order (and rightfully so).
Not true-- Frankie is far more versitile on the back line, and that counts for a lot in the 6 - 8 spots on the defenders' roster (which is why Specter should be a lock for Germany).
I would love to see the US 8 defenders for the world cup be.... Gooch, Gibbs, Bocanegra, 2 of (Berhalter/Pope/Conrad/Marshall), Spector, Pearce, Cherundolo Since Spector can play both sides in a pinch, Lewis can play LB, Bocanegra/Gibbs can play LB.......... there would be no reason for the surfer dude..... If that happens it will mean that the two young pups (Spector, pearce) beat out Hejduk which IMHO would be good for our team. (not that I think that they will......I just hope they do).
Yes, he is right footed. I remember watching him play left back against Portsmouth and noting how often he switched the ball over to his right foot to make a pass -- it actually looked a bit awkward to me. Because Spector is right-footed, I think he's better suited for the right side.