Comments on: John Thorrington Bests David Beckham: Chicago Fire Defeat L.A. Galaxy

By: SWOS Fan

SWOS Fan — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:49:21 +0000

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.

By: Taylor Williams

Taylor Williams — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 22:42:30 +0000

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

By: johnny m

johnny m — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 21:16:32 +0000

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!

By: Thomas Dunmore

Thomas Dunmore — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 15:46:10 +0000

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.

By: johnny m

johnny m — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 15:13:35 +0000

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!

By: Thomas Dunmore

Thomas Dunmore — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:01:51 +0000

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.

By: Nick J

Nick J — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:56:22 +0000

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.

By: Thomas Dunmore

Thomas Dunmore — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 21:27:31 +0000

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.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:45:15 +0000

And in further irony, Thorrington was a trialist at the Galaxy in the pre-season, but didn’t make the cut.