Jonathan Spector
Jonathan Michael Paul Spector (born March 1, 1986) is an American former soccer player who played as a defender. In his 16-year career playing first-team soccer he played over 400 games for club and country, and helped the United States win the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2007. He earned 36 caps for the United States national team. He is now the Head of Scouting for MLS side Atlanta United.
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Spector with Birmingham City in 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Jonathan Michael Paul Spector | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | March 1, 1986 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Spector started his professional career in England when he was signed by Manchester United as a teenager, but rarely appeared for the club. He played on loan at Charlton Athletic, then in 2006 joined West Ham United, for whom he played over 100 games before he was released at the end of the 2010–11 season. He then spent five-and-a-half seasons with Birmingham City. Spector then played for MLS club Orlando City and had a short spell with Scottish club Hibernian. He retired as a player in 2019.
Although he began playing as a striker during his youth career, Spector was converted into a defender as a professional. He most commonly played as a right-back, although he occasionally appeared across the defensive line and in central midfield.