Jonathan Spector facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jonathan Spector

Spector with Birmingham City in 2016
Personal information
Full name	Jonathan Michael Paul Spector
Date of birth	(1986-03-01) March 1, 1986 (age 39)
Place of birth	Arlington Heights, Illinois, United States
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
2002–2003	Bradenton Academy
2003	Chicago Sockers
2003	Chicago Fire
2003	Manchester United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2003–2006	Manchester United	3	(0)
2005–2006	→ Charlton Athletic (loan)	20	(0)
2006–2011	West Ham United	101	(1)
2011–2017	Birmingham City	153	(0)
2017–2018	Orlando City	38	(1)
2019	Hibernian	1	(0)
Total		316	(2)
International career
2003	United States U17	19	(0)
2005	United States U20	2	(0)
2004–2015	United States	36	(0)
Medal record Representing  United States FIFA Confederations Cup Runner-up 2009 South Africa Team CONCACAF Gold Cup Winner CONCACAF Gold Cup 2007 Runner-up CONCACAF Gold Cup 2011
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Jonathan Michael Paul Spector (born March 1, 1986) is an American former soccer player. He played as a defender. During his 16-year career, he played over 400 games. He played for various clubs and his country. He helped the United States win the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2007. He played 36 games for the United States national team. Today, he is the Head of Scouting for the MLS team Atlanta United.

Spector started his professional career in England. He joined Manchester United as a teenager. He then played on loan at Charlton Athletic. In 2006, he moved to West Ham United. He played over 100 games for them. After that, he spent five and a half seasons with Birmingham City. Spector also played for MLS club Orlando City. He had a short time with Scottish club Hibernian. He stopped playing soccer professionally in 2019.

When he was younger, Spector played as a striker. But as a professional, he became a defender. He usually played as a right-back. He could also play in other defense positions. Sometimes, he even played in central midfield.

Early Life and Youth Soccer

Jonathan Spector was born on March 1, 1986. He grew up in Arlington Heights, Illinois, near Chicago. He was the youngest of four children. His mother was born in Germany. This meant Spector had a German passport. This helped him play in England without needing a special work permit.

Spector's grandfather, Art Spector, was a famous basketball player. He was the first player signed by the Boston Celtics in 1946. He was known as the "Original Celtic." Jonathan's grandfather passed away when Jonathan was very young.

Jonathan played high school soccer at St. Viator High School. He was also a great basketball player. He started his club soccer with Schwaben AC. Then he joined the Chicago Sockers in 2003. He also played youth soccer for Chicago Fire and Manchester United in 2003. He finished his youth training at the United States Soccer Federation's Bradenton Academy in 2003.

Club Career Highlights

Starting at Manchester United

A scout from Manchester United found Spector in 2003. Jonathan was playing for the American Under-17 team. He was playing defense because of injuries to other players. The scout was impressed by his defending skills.

Spector joined Manchester United in the summer of 2003. He won the club's Young Player of the Year award for the 2003–04 season. He played his first game for the main team in August 2004. This was against Arsenal. He was going to be loaned to Blackburn Rovers. But injuries at Manchester United stopped this from happening. In 2005, he went on loan to Charlton Athletic. This helped him get more experience playing in first-team games.

Time with West Ham United

Spector with West Ham United in 2009

In June 2006, Spector joined West Ham United. He played his first game for them in September. He played 28 games in his first season. He was a versatile player. This meant he could play in different defense positions. This was very helpful for the team.

On November 30, 2010, Spector scored his first goals for West Ham. He scored twice in a 4–0 win against his old club, Manchester United. This was in the League Cup. He also scored his first Premier League goal later that season. He left West Ham in June 2011.

Playing for Birmingham City

Spector playing for Birmingham City in 2012

Spector signed with Birmingham City in August 2011. This team played in the Championship. He played his first game for Birmingham in a European competition. This was the Europa League play-off round.

For his first few months, Spector played in central midfield. He enjoyed this position. He also played at right-back in European games. His ability to play in many positions was very valuable. He missed the last two months of his first season due to a thigh muscle injury.

Spector returned to play in the 2012–13 season. He scored his first goal for Birmingham in August 2012. This was in a League Cup game. He faced more injuries during this season. Despite this, he signed a new two-year contract.

In 2013, Spector broke his cheekbone during a game. This kept him out for four months. He returned in February 2014. He helped Birmingham avoid being moved down to a lower league. They stayed up by a very small margin.

He continued to face injuries in the 2014–15 season. He missed four months due to another thigh muscle injury. When he returned, he played as a center-back. He had told the manager this was his favorite position.

Spector played without injury in the 2015–16 season. He often played as a starting center-back. In 2016, he started playing at right-back again. By January 2017, Spector wanted to return to the United States. He left Birmingham City after playing 179 games for them.

Moving to Orlando City

On January 24, 2017, Spector signed with Orlando City. This team is in Major League Soccer. He played his first MLS game on March 5, 2017. Orlando City won that game 1–0. Spector was named team captain before the 2018 season. He played 38 games for Orlando City over two years. He left the club after the 2018 season.

Short Time at Hibernian

In March 2019, Spector signed a short contract with Hibernian. This is a Scottish team. He played only one game for them. This was a win against Hearts. He left Hibernian in May 2019.

He officially announced his retirement from playing soccer on August 11, 2019. He had played over 400 games in his career. He also helped the United States win the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2007. Later in August 2019, he became the Head of International Player Recruitment and Development for Atlanta United FC.

International Career for the United States

In 2003, Spector played for the United States national team at the World Under-17 Championship. He played his first game for the senior national team on November 17, 2004. This was a World Cup qualifying game against Jamaica.

In 2005, Spector was part of the United States Under-20 team. He was considered for the 2006 World Cup team. But a shoulder injury in April ended his chances.

Spector was on the United States team that won the CONCACAF Gold Cup in June 2007. They beat Mexico 2–1 in the final.

He was also part of the United States team for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. He played as a right-back for the whole tournament. He helped Clint Dempsey score a goal against Egypt. This helped the United States reach the semifinals. In the final against Brazil, Spector again helped Dempsey score the first goal.

Spector was included in the final 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. However, he did not play in any games during that tournament. He played in friendly games against Brazil and Colombia later in 2010.

He was called up to the national team again in September 2015. He played in a game against Brazil. He played 36 games for the United States between 2004 and 2015.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances

International Appearances

Honors and Awards

United States

• CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2007

Individual Awards

• Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year: 2003–04

See also

In Spanish: Jonathan Spector para niños

• List of select Jewish association football (soccer) players