John Thorrington Bests David Beckham: Chicago Fire Defeat L.A. Galaxy
By Thomas Dunmore • Oct 21st, 2007 • Category: American soccer • 9 responses
“You’re going home in a Cook County Ambulance!”. David Beckham received a warm welcome today from the Fire’s hardcore fans, Section 8, as the Englishman entered late in the game. As he came on, L.A. needed a goal and a win to advance to the playoffs and knock out Chicago, who needed just a point to progress themselves.
And I’m sorry everyone, but I have no photos of David Beckham for you. I’ve little to say about his cameo performance; a couple of decent deliveries aside, he was pretty quiet. For most of the people at the game today, including me, he was not the main attraction.
Sure, Beckham #23 jerseys dotted the stands, teenage girls giddily excited. It was a sell-out; mind you, since the arrival of our own foreign star Temo Blanco, we’ve been getting used to those. And the mix of boos and cheers when Beckham entered the game or stepped up to take a free-kick caused a lot less commotion than the Fire’s frequent forays forward, rebuffed again and again by the Galaxy’s beefy keeper Joe Cannon, to the increasing chagrin of Section 8.
Finally, deep into stoppage time, the goal came. And what a beautifully incongruous scorer: it was John Thorrington, a little known and long forgotten teammate of Beckham’s at Manchester United during their Annus mirabilis of 1999, who lifted the ball deftly over Cannon and into the Harlem End goal.
Beckham didn’t go home in a Cook County Ambulance, but he certainly didn’t leave too happy, either. But those of us in Section 8 certainly did.
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And in further irony, Thorrington was a trialist at the Galaxy in the pre-season, but didn’t make the cut.
Ah, I’d forgotten that Laurie. Thorrington certainly has talent, but health has long been an issue, including in his previous Fire stint.
Sorry about your boys, but I’m sure with Beckham fit the Galaxy will make the playoffs next season. And no Superliga or Euro 2008 to distract the Galaxy or Beckham.
Um, I’d hardly call Thorrington a former teammate of Beckham at United.
The guy made absolutlely zero performances while on United’s books.
Presumably he was a million miles away from ever making the first team.
Oh, and he left in 1998.
Nick, according to Thorrington’s official Chicago Fire bio, which I checked prior to writing this, he was with Manchester United in 1999. If you have an accurate source that indicates he left earlier, please do point to it and I’ll correct the article. I did note Wikipedia says 1998, but I’d need something better than that.
He was a teammate in the sense he was on the same team (Manchester United) as Beckham. As I said, he was and is little known; I didn’t say he played a first team game for them, but he did play for their reserve team.
I just found it interesting the way their careers collided eight years later, the whole point being that Thorrington is so obscure.
i just love people like nick j who think they know everything. i was thorrington’s high school coach. before he left for man u after his junior year in ‘97, Sigi Schmid and Bobby Clark were heavily recruiting him. i’d say those boys know a thing or two about footballing. thorrington played at man u from ‘97-’99.
while playing for man u, thorrington played a lot for the reserves which is hardly a “million miles away” from the first team - i’d dare say that man u’s reserves could have a good shot to win the mls cup. after man u, thorrington played with the reserves at bayer leverkusen with donovan who, by nick’s standard, was a “millon miles away” from the first team as well.
thorrington had a terrific trial with the galaxy, however, salary cap issues and not his play determined his fate with l.a. the irony of thorrington scoring the winning goal that knocked the galaxy out of the playoffs is just and fitting for a guy who has battled injury and bad luck his entire career. way to go, johnny-boy!
Thanks for the comments johnny m., you’re probably quite right about the standard of Man Utd’s reserves. I’ve been very impressed with Thorrington for the Fire recently, and hope he sticks around, stays healthy and beds down a regular first team spot next season. Technically, it’s obvious he’s on a higher level than many MLS players.
if he can stay healthy, thorrington can and should hold down a place on the wing for the fire although i think he prefers the middle. he still has the pace and skill and trickery to blow past defenders. let’s hope that he gets a shot at it. by the way, the goal thorrington scored is typical of what he can do when he is healthy and confident!
Johnny M - Nice to know that there are those of us who are still following John’s professional career. I hope he stays healthy and sees lots more playing time next year. Hope all is well with you and your family. You still at Chadwick?
Best Regards
Taylor Williams
taylorswilliams@hotmail.com
Thanks for this interesting inside review!
I also watched this game and Beckham wasnt looking too happy. The same in the earlier friendly against Chelsea but its nice to see him this season, injury free and playing well.
Best wishes! Koral from Denmark.