 |
NAME: John Spencer POSITION: Assistant coach EXPERIENCE: Fourth season HOMETOWN: Glasgow, Scotland |
As Dynamo assistant coach, he also served as Dynamo Reserves coach from 2006-08, leading Houston’s reserve squad to the 2008 league championship.
As a player, Spencer was considered the Rapids’ undeniable leader due to his skill and work ethic. He was the only Rapids player to be the team’s MVP and scoring leader in the same season more than once, leading in both categories in 2001 and 2003. He was the first player in Colorado history to be named to the league’s Best XI team, and he earned that honor twice. In 2003, Spencer led the Rapids with 14 goals and 33 points and was a finalist for league MVP. He scored in six straight games that season, one game away from tying an MLS record.
Prior to signing with the Rapids, Spencer had played for seven different teams in 14 years as a professional. He earned his first full cap for Scotland against Russia on November 16, 1994, in Glasgow. His favorite soccer memories include playing for Scotland against England at Wembley Stadium in the 1996 European Championship. He last appeared for Scotland on May 27, 1997, in a friendly against Wales. He registered 14 caps for Scotland between 1994 and 1997.
Spencer also played for Lai Sun of Hong Kong when he was on loan in the late 1980s and scored 20 goals in 24 games. In 1992, he joined English power Chelsea and scored 43 goals in 96 appearances from 1992-96. He also spent two seasons with Queens Park Rangers, scoring 24 goals in 53 appearances.
He lists his favorite movie as “The Usual Suspects,” and his favorite hobbies as watching his son, Brad, 13 and a member of the Dynamo Academy U-15 team, play soccer and his daughter, Chantelle, 16, participate in dance. One of his favorite goal celebrations was to kiss his wedding ring in honor of his family. Spencer and his family live in the Houston area.
);){kind=link}