Men’s Soccer: Sperber stirs it up for UCI
Michael Sperber assures you that his heart is in the right place. It’s just that opponents, spectators and teammates alike most often see that heart manifested in a bone-crunching, cleat-first tackle, a not-so-subtle forearm, or a well-placed, ill-meaning shoulder.
Sperber, as all who have seen the UC Irvine men’s soccer team this season know, is the Anteaters’ driving force and defensive enforcer, whose closely cropped Captain Ahab beard cloaks the soul of a pirate.
“He’s very tenacious,” UCI Coach Chris Volk said of the 5-foot-7 1/2 sophomore, who earned first-team All-Big West Conference honors and scored the game-winning goal in a second-round NCAA Tournament win at Stanford to propel the Anteaters (16-5-3) into the Sweet 16. UCI visits No. 11-seeded Providence (14-4-2) Sunday at 4 p.m. “He has a fiery personality and when he channels his energy in the right way, there is not a better defensive midfielder in the conference and, I would argue, within the region.”
When Sperber discusses his propensity for delivering pain, he does so with a maniacally sinister grin that is as piercing as his tactics.
“I have to get stuck in,” Sperber said, using the soccer term for imposing his persona on attackers, most often in the form of a tackle that prompts the rival squad’s trainer to sprint toward the carnage. “I have to know I’m better than the people I’m going against and I can’t have any fear. For example, [at No. 6-seeded Stanford] we played against supposedly the best college player in the nation [sophomore forward Jordan Morris, a contributor to the U.S. national team that some believe may leave school early to play in the MLS]. And I got stuck into him every chance I got. We were excited to play against him to see what all the hype was about, and, personally, I think we shut him down. Somebody has to do the dirty work. It just happens to be me.”
Sperber’s slight stature has amplified his need to play with aggression. Another contributing factor in that regard was years of competing in adult leagues in Coachella, near his home in Palm Desert.
“I played in many Sunday leagues growing up and I was the only white person,” Sperber said. “So [almost exclusively Hispanic players, some in their 50s] didn’t like me. I got hit from every angle and I never got a call, so I had I just learned and practiced [the physical play] many coaches taught me. I’ve learned a lot of the tricks.”
Sperber, whose older brother played soccer at UC Riverside, said his determination to become a professional soccer player kicked in before he could multiply. And in addition to his on-field development, he said his home life served to magnify his motivation to succeed.
His parents’ protracted divorce fostered consistent tumult that, at one point during his early high school years, created a virtual disinterest in school.
“It has been rough,” Sperber said of the still unfinalized divorce. “When I was home, it was every day. I have five sisters and one brother and I’m the baby, so my younger sister and I saw most of it. For a few years, it destroyed me. I just didn’t care about anything other than soccer. [My parents have] taught me a lot about what I want in my life, and also things I don’t want.”
Sperber’s vision for a future in the sport, as well as one day becoming a husband and father, are crystallized in the word “HOPE” tattooed near his right biceps.
“That’s a big word in my life,” he said. “And I also have a tattoo on my side that says “Family First.” I kiss it before every game. And I try to bring [my determination] all for my family when I play. It gets my confidence up. I want to do everything for my family.”
There are limits to what Sperber will do, though even he admits, they can be difficult to discern.
“I don’t try to be like that annoying little dirty player out there,” said Sperber, who in two seasons has had to sit out two games due to excessive yellow cards and obtained a yellow card against Stanford. “But if I have to get into a tackle or do something to stop a goal, I will do anything. But my intention is never to hurt [an opponent]. If I get stuck in and I do hurt them ... my bad. But it’s part of the game.”
“He’s only 5-7, but I don’t think there is a tougher guy I’ve ever played against [in practice], UCI senior forward and captain Cameron Iwasa said. “He’s an absolute grinder, who is winning every challenge and really getting stuck in. He is somebody who gets the whole team inspired.”
And for the first time in his career, that inspiration was displayed on the scoreboard against Stanford, when he converted an Iwasa assist into the game’s only goal in the 97th minute.
But his rare goal (he has two career assists) hasn’t skewed Sperber’s priorities.
“When I get the opportunity to go forward, I love to go forward,” he said. “But mostly, I have to hold down the space right in front of the center back.”
Sperber’s ability to hold opponents down has helped the ‘Eaters record 10 shutouts, including the last three games.
“When he is able to dispossess the other team with a tackle and initiate the attack from that, that speaks volumes for the entire team,” Volk said. “And he has had the ability to do that all year long.”