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Gary Brooks used to protect the goal, but now the Crystal Palace forward has shifted his focus to scoring on it. - Jon Clements/For the Examiner
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Before Crystal Palace forward Gary Brooks focused on kicking the ball into the back of the net, his goal was to keep it out.
“He was a goalkeeper,” teammate and fellow Jamaican Kevin King said with a laugh. “On our club team, we were looking for someone who was aggressive and coach said ‘Gary, go up front.’ He scored like two goals that day and that was it, no more goalie.”
But that was about 13 years and nearly 1,500 miles ago for the forward, who is known as much for his ability to score as his wild hairstyle and charismatic personality.
“His quote is ‘I play for my dinner,’” Palace co-manager Pete Medd said. “He understands if he doesn’t play well, he doesn’t make a living. He’s a true soccer warrior.”
One who was hundreds of miles away from Charm City last year. Brooks, 28, began the season with the Vancouver Whitecaps of the United Soccer League First Division. But his goal was to play in America, so he contacted Medd, who gave him a chance.
“We brought him in on trial and we brought him in for the week because we heard he is a big time scorer,” Medd said. “Well, when we first practiced, we were missing a [defender] and Gary said ‘I’ll play there, I’ll play anywhere.’” And he’s out there diving with his face trying to keep the ball in bounds.”
And he hasn’t stopped since. After scoring seven goals and adding a pair of assists in the final nine games last season, his scoring spree has resumed this summer. Brooks is fifth in the United Soccer League Second Division in scoring with 13 points on six goals and an assist for Palace (7-4-1), which hosts the Western Mass Pioneers (5-7-5) on Friday night at 7:30 at UMBC Stadium.
His best goal of the season came in a 2-0 win over Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup. Taking a cross from defender Paul Robson with his back to the net, Brooks kicked the ball on his first touch over his shoulder into the far side of the goal.
“I’m a goal scorer, but a lot of it is about fate,” he said. “The coaches have us do a lot of drills, but every time I touch it, I know I am a forward and have to finish it.”
dcarey@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
1:50 PM MST on Sun., Jul. 27, 2008 re: "Palace upends defending champs, prepares for first-place Eagles"
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3:11 PM MST on Tue., Jul. 8, 2008
re: "Palace eyes to stop MLS’s Revolution"
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2:02 PM MST on Thu., Jun. 26, 2008
re: "Palace ready to run with Bulls"
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7:15 AM MST on Fri., Apr. 25, 2008
re: "A new look at Palace"
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6:12 AM MST on Fri., Apr. 25, 2008
re: "A new look at Palace"
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Attila the Hon said:
Crystal Palace Baltimore actually played the Charlotte Eagles last night. Unfortunately they lost 3-0. Don't worry. The Baltimores already clinched a playoff berth! GO PALACE!
8 agree | 7 disagree
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Attila the Hon said:
There was absolutely no articles about Crystal Palace Baltimore in today's Sun. The Examiner wins again & it wasn't even close. GO PALACE! UPSET NEW ENGLAND!
12 agree | 11 disagree
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Attila the Hon said:
All articles about Crystal Palace Baltimore in the Examiner are outstanding. Little wonder why The Sun, who continues to ignore them, is losing readers rapidly. Keep the coverage flowing! Even though next Tuesday's match is in Annapolis, here's hoping Palace pulls off the upset in front of a SELLOUT crowd. GO PALACE! UPSET NEW YORK!
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Examiner Reader said:
Not after the two more games they play they will be in playoffs and be promoted to EPL!!! GO PALACE!!!
24 agree | 23 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Crystal Palace isn't in the EPL. They are in the League Championship, which is one level below.
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