A stunning strike on the first game of the club's North American tour has left Kyel Reid in confident mood before the high-profile conclusion against the MLS All-Stars.
Left winger Reid took full advantage of the fact Alan Curbishley was without Luis Boa Morte and Matthew Etherington in last Sunday's 3-1 win at Columbus Crew. He put the seal on a polished team performance with a fiercely taken goal after outstanding support play by Craig Bellamy. He will hope to figure again when West Ham United step firmly into the soccer spotlight against the cream of US and Canadian talent, although he may have more competition for a starting berth.
"I am really enjoying the trip," Reid said, with the squad having left behind the heat and sunshine of Columbus for the thunder and lightening of Toronto. "We started against Hampton and Richmond last Thursday. I didn't really have a great game so I was hoping I could come out here and get another chance to prove to the manager that I can help the team progress. I want to show the fans that I am a good player. It is nice to see them all here and we are getting good support."
Reid, still only 20 and who finished last season on loan at Crystal Palace, certainly did give the fans plenty of food for thought. He linked up well with fellow Academy product Joe Widdowson in an inexperienced but hard-working left-hand side. Talking of that goal, he added: "I saw the ball coming nicely to me. I just hit it as hard as I could and aimed for the top corner. That was where it went and I was delighted to get my first goal of this pre-season. I thought Carlton [Cole] was going to take it and I was pleased when he let me have it."