Catching Up With Spencer Richey

Former UW Goalkeeper Now Protecting the Net in Cincinnati

By Washington Huskies

June 24^th, 2019

What has your journey been like from your days at UW to playing for Cincinnati FC this year?

It has been a bit of a grind to be honest. I was a pretty highly rated player coming out of high school and had a great first three years playing at UW. However, in one of the first games of my senior year, I suffered a double leg fracture to my right leg and missed my entire senior season. Luckily, it was early enough in the year that I was able to medical redshirt, but I wasn’t near the same player my 5th season that I had been years prior.

I was selected late in the 3rd round of the MLS Draft by the Vancouver Whitecaps and played sparsely for their USL team over the next two seasons. My 3rd season, I signed an MLS contract with Vancouver, but only played 1 MLS game that year. In year 4, I went on loan from Vancouver to FC Cincinnati in the USL. I started the first half of the season as the backup but was able to win the starting job midway through the summer. We eventually went on to win the USL Regular Season. After that season, I was released by Vancouver and signed by FC Cincinnati for their inaugural season in MLS. Since then I’ve started 14 of our first 17 MLS matches.

What was your best moment in professional soccer?

My best moment has got to be my MLS debut back in 2017. I always wanted to be a professional soccer player growing up, and being able to play in the top division of the country I grew up in was something I’ll cherish forever.

How did your time at the University of Washington prepare you for professional soccer?

UW was a great launching pad for me and my professional career. On the field, I had the opportunity to play in high pressure, meaningful games. I got to develop my skill set in top facilities and under a great coaching staff. Off the field, it helped me learn how to balance my life with school, social, and soccer. These are things and skill sets that I still use daily eight years later.

What are your favorite memories of your time at UW?

Some of my favorite memories at UW are being ranked #1 in the country for numerous weeks in a row, beating UCLA at their place, and of course, winning the Pac-12 Championship in 2014.

Any advice you would give to current and future UW soccer players?

Always embrace the grind and never lose faith in yourself. Of course, there will be times when these seem impossible to do, and like everything is going against you. These are the times that will separate the players who do not have the mentality to persevere from the ones that do. Do these two things, and you’ll give yourself a great chance to get to where you want to be in soccer, and in life.