Jonathan Spector is dreaming of lifting the FA Cup with West Ham United and appreciates just what the competition means to supporters.
The versatile American international was a key man in the third-round goalless draw with Manchester City on 5 January, coming on at half-time for injured skipper Lucas Neill at right-back. He found himself up against one of Europe's best left wingers Martin Petrov and coped particularly well against the flying Bulgarian international to help the Hammers keep it tight in defence.
Stopping the pacy Petrov again for the replay at the City of Manchester Stadium tonight could be crucial to the club having success in a competition that Spector quickly became aware of upon moving to England as a 17-year-old. "The cup is a big deal," he said. "Right away the players, the manager, the fans instil in you how important the FA Cup is to them and to the club.
"It is certainly something we want to progress in. We had a great run in the cup a couple of years ago -making it to the final. I wasn't here at the time but I remember seeing the game. We unfortunately lost to Liverpool at the very end but we would love to be in that position again where we have the chance to win the FA Cup."
Spector will hope to figure again - having kept his place at right-back for Saturday's 2-1 win against Fulham, when he played a crucial role in the opening goal by linking up well with Freddie Ljungberg. As well as the first cup meeting against City, he also played there in Neill's absence on the first day of the season when City won 2-0 at the Boleyn Ground. That said, he would ultimately like to establish himself in an inside position.
"The centre is where I would eventually like to end up playing for the majority of my career," he said. "I am still only 21 at the moment which is young for a central defender so wherever opportunities arise I am happy to play. I love playing so I am not going to turn down playing in a different position."
Tim Howard, now the Everton No1, was the first American player to get an FA Cup winners' medal when he played in goal for Manchester United in the 3-0 win against Millwall back in 2004. Former Hammers midfielder John Harkes became the first US player to appear in the final when he figured in Sheffield Wednesday's 2-1 replay loss to Arsenal in 1993.