Michael Bradley But if we are gonna talk about another player that stepped up............ let it be one John Spector. THE most consistant defender we have playing right now....in the entire men's national team. Spectors been getting chunkloads of playing time this entire fall-winter season in a variety of different positions; right back, left back, defensive mid, right mid.....even forward. However, his most impressive performances have come at center back, anyone whos had the opportunity to watch him during his tenure guarding the gates at West Ham this season should be nothing but impressed. When Boca has been in shambles at club (and likely to be sticking with Fulham during the crisis), and Onyewu still in the Belgian League, the guy playing at a UEFA Cup contender consistantly in a variety of positions should be getting alot more praise than he has on these boards. We dont know if the euros are coming or not. But id like to think that John Spector would be on that plane, and somewhere along the back in our starting 11. Dude has flat out earned it IMO, thoughts?
Dude earned a trip to Germany. If he didn't get hurt he was going to get called in for it. Regardless, I think he should get a start (assuming he is called in). IMHO it is slightly troubling that he hasn't seemed to cracked the starting lineup at a particular position for his club. I think a partnerhsip of Spector with a more physical forward (Gooch, Robinson, even Bocanegra) would be amazing as his makeup speed and the physical forward would be a great combo. IMHO though Parkhurst deserves a shot though as well at CB. Robinson played good as well with his first cap. I would like to see Robinson get the whole game and a 1/2 each with Parkhurst and Spector IMHO. We will know where we stand with Robinson and then we will have a better idea with Spector and Parkhurst. Just my .02 though. With regards to player that most deserves his shot against quality competition like Mexico, IMHO is Adu and Altidore. Can't wait to see what they do.
Our best YA this season has been Bradley. He's been a major revelation, and he's beaten my expectations for him by about a year-plus. That said, Spector has been a top 3 YA this season (the other being Dempsey... I hesitate to rank them).
I agree that Jonathan Spector has had a nice season and I definitely think he's a very important part of our plans for the immediate and distant future, but I do want to point out that I'm not sure he's the best guy to matchup with against Guardado at RB on Wednesday. Spector doesn't have teriffic pace, and his lateral foot speed is also somewhat lacking. I think he'd struggle against Guardado with AG's pace and propensity to go at defenders 1v1. That's why I think Steve Cherundolo, with his pace and agility, is a better defensive matchup.
Agreed. However, I'd rather see Spector on the left than Corrales, who does not match up well with Dos Santos and in whom I have very little hope long-term, as he's older, lacks pace, and lacks a very good ball into the box, despite his relatively mature playing style. And at some point, I do think we are going to have to experiment with Spector in central defense. He could very well be the player that some people want out of Parkhurst, without quite as much physical limitation. He'll never be the lock-down sort of back, but for us only Onyewu is, and only against a certain type of opponent (physical target forwards).