John Spencer (footballer)

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For other persons named John Spencer, see John Spencer (disambiguation).

John Spencer (born September 11, 1970 in Glasgow, Scotland) is a former professional football (soccer) who last played in Major League Soccer for the Colorado Rapids. He is currently an assistant coach for the Houston Dynamo.

Spencer started his journeyman career at perennial Scottish powers Rangers, signing with the club in 1985. Spencer later moved on to Greenock Morton (on loan), Lai Sun of Hong Kong (on loan), Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers, Everton, and Motherwell.

He was signed by the Rapids on February 21, 2001, and made a strong MLS debut. In his first year with the Rapids, Spencer started 22 games for the Rapids, and finished the year with 14 goals and 7 assists, and was subsequently named to the MLS Best XI. Spencer's second year was less impressive and hampered by injuries, but he still finished with 5 goals and 4 assists in only 13 games. He returned to form in 2003, however, leading the team in scoring again with 14 goals and 5 assists, winning a place in the MLS Best XI, as well as ranking as a finalist for the MLS MVP Award. Spencer began to show his age in 2004, however, as injuries kept him out of several games, and he was not particularly impressive in the games he was available; he finished the season with four goals and one assist in 19 starts. He retired after the season.

Spencer has registered 14 caps for the Scottish national team.