NPSL ALUM LUKE SPENCER FINDING REDEMPTION WITH LOUISVILLE CITY FC
In 2013, the New England Revolution chose forward Luke Spencer with the 23rd overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft. Unfortunately, Spencer suffered a torn ACL in his first week with the Revs.
“It’s tough coming back from injury,” Spencer said. “But I’m just trying to get better every day.”
And with Louisville City FC, Spencer got his chance, signing with the club after spending last year with cross-river rival and his hometown club FC Cincinnati, the city where Spencer grew up and played in college with Xavier.
While with the Musketeers, Spencer netted 22 goals in 70 appearances, but especially broke out in his senior season, scoring 14 goals and recording eight assists in his final campaign with XU.
After his time with New England, Spencer joined the Cincinnati Saints, (now the Dayton Dynamo) of the NPSL in 2015.
“It was a great experience,” Spencer added. “Coming back from injury and being able to train and be around a high level of play really helped me.”
Current Dayton Dynamo head coach Dan Weist, a former teammate of Spencer at the Cincinnati Saints, has the utmost confidence in Spencer’s ability to improve and succeed.
“He is a tremendously down to earth individual with a remarkable work rate. I have no doubts he will be successful in the USL with Louisville.”
As Weist mentioned, after spending the 2016 season with FC Cincinnati, where he appeared in 11 games, Spencer signed with Louisville City FC for the 2017 USL season.
So far this year Luke has seen an uptick in his time on the pitch, appearing in all three of Louisville’s matches so far this season, including one start. Spencer has recorded one goal so far and has put three of his seven shots on target. The opportunity to play is a huge blessing for Spencer.
“Being able to score a goal is huge for my confidence,” Spencer commented, adding that scoring was reassuring following his injury and limited playing time with FC Cincinnati. Following his first tally of the year, Spencer hopes to score more, but is mainly focusing on the basics.
“I just want to establish myself in the XI and hopefully I can play a whole year as a starter here in Louisville.”
Louisville City FC head coach James O’Connor sees a lot of upside in the 6’2” forward.
“Luke is someone we really like. He has great size, speed and strength which for all defenders is difficult to play against.” O’Connor went on to praise Spencer’s character and team-oriented mindset.
Now recovered from a difficult injury and helping Louisville City FC to an undefeated 2-1-0 start to the 2017 season, Luke Spencer is back doing what he knows best: scoring goals and helping his team win.
