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Cameron Carter-Vickers scores, helps keep clean sheet in Championship debut

The Tottenham man’s loan to Sheffield United began with a bang as the center back got it done at both ends of the field.

By Adam Whittaker Snavely
Tottenham Hotspur v Wycombe Wanderers - The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images

Cameron Carter-Vickers is in an odd spot in his professional career. Still only 19 years old, his initially promising professional steps both with Spurs academy and being promoted to the first team and in commanding performances for the U.S. U-20s across two World Cup cycles were off-set by his failure to break into the Spurs lineup for any meaningful minutes, as well as his lackluster performance with the U.S. U-23 team in qualifying for the 2014 Olympic games. CCV has long had the physique of a grown man and the ability to command a back line, but his talent was not translating to the next level. A loan to the Championship even had some questioning whether he was still in Tottenham’s plans or not.

What better way to silence doubters than to keep a clean sheet in your debut, and score the winning goal to boot?

Carter-Vickers has the ball land fortuitously to his feet after a blocked header attempt. His first shot is blocked, but his second, on his weaker right foot, races through traffic and into the top corner. He’s probably just trying to kick the ball as hard as he can towards goal here, not knowing much about the placement, but who cares? It’s in the back of the net.

The Blades rode that goal all the way to a 1-0 victory, one that lifted them to third in the Championship on the season, just 2 points behind leaders Leeds United. And as expected, such a performance quickly endeared CCV to Sheffield fans.

He even inspired a song! It’s...charming.

As always, it bears repeating: Cameron Carter-Vickers is only 19 years old. He isn’t a world-beater yet; we’re not talking about the defensive Christian Pulisic here. And that’s ok. The vast majority of people aren’t starting for their national side or club team as a teenager. The most important take-away from this game is that Sheffield United appear unafraid to hand Carter-Vickers actual, meaningful minutes, which is the most important thing for his development. And if he can keep banging in goals helping keep clean sheets, maybe that long-awaited Premier League debut will happen sooner rather than later.

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