TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Trade
FC Cincinnati have acquired a goalkeeper for their inaugural MLS season and it’s one they are very familiar with.
FC Cincy have traded for the rights to Spencer Richey, who started 14 matches for the club in USL in 2018 while on loan from Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The expansion club have traded a 2020 third-round SuperDraft pick for the 26-year-old. He is the sixth player to join the team for the 2019 sesaon.
“I’m really looking forward to returning to Cincinnati,” Richey said in a statement. “I could see where this club was heading when I first arrived on loan. I knew there was a possibility of coming here not just for the short term, but also the long term. I’m excited with how things have played out and I think this will be best for my career.”
Richey joined FC Cincinnati on loan at the beginning of the 2018 calendar year. During his season with the Orange and Blue in the USL, Richey made 14 regular-season appearances and posted an 11-1-2 record with a 1.29 goals against average.
“Spencer is someone that we are very excited to bring back to Cincinnati as we continue to build our roster,” Koch said. “Last season, he battled and remained resilient in a competitive goalkeeping environment and showcased his abilities with fantastic performances at the end of the year. We believe Spencer displayed significant growth over the course of the year and we are excited to give him a well-deserved opportunity with this club in MLS.”
The Seattle, Wash., native emerged as FC Cincinnati’s top goalkeeping option midway through the season. After appearing in only four of FC Cincinnati’s first 20 matches, Richey earned starts in 10 of FCC’s last 14 regular-season matches, as well as both USL Cup Playoff contests.
Richey’s professional career began in 2015, when he was drafted in the third round, 61st overall, by Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft after a four-year career at the University of Washington. After not making the Whitecaps roster after preseason, Richey signed with Whitecaps FC 2. With the USL side, Richey made 26 starts during the 2015-16 seasons. Following the conclusion of the 2016 USL season, Richey signed a contract with Vancouver Whitecaps FC of MLS. In 2017, the Seattle native made five appearances across all competitions for the Whitecaps, as well as 17 appearances on loan with Whitecaps 2.
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