Head Coach - John Spencer
Appointed the first head coach in the club’s MLS history on Aug. 10, 2010, John Spencer completed his first season as head coach of the 2011 Portland Timbers by guiding the team to the brink of the MLS Cup playoffs.
A native of Glasgow, Scotland, Spencer led the Timbers through a successful opening MLS campaign, earning a 9-5-3 record at home - tied for third-best in the league - and nearly clinching a spot in the playoffs.
The third-youngest head coach in MLS for the 2011 season, Spencer helped one of the league’s youngest rosters navigate the rigors of its first 34-game regular season while staying competitive in the Western Conference.
Under Spencer’s tutelage, the Timbers became the first MLS expansion franchise to win their first five home games, and the first franchise to begin its home season with three straight wins since 1996. Portland’s 11 wins in 2011 ranks tied for fourth all-time among expansion teams for wins in a season.
Prior to joining the Timbers, Spencer served as an assistant coach for the Houston Dynamo under head coach Dominic Kinnear for nearly five seasons (2006-2010). He helped lead the Dynamo to back-to-back MLS Cup championships in 2006 and 2007 as well as four consecutive playoff appearances. From 2006-08, Spencer also coached the Dynamo Reserves, guiding Houston’s reserve squad to the 2008 MLS Reserve Division championship.
During an 18-year playing career, Spencer suited up for such noted English clubs as Chelsea, Everton and Queens Park Rangers, and Scotland’s Glasgow Rangers. As a striker, he most notably amassed 43 goals with English-power Chelsea from 1992-96.In MLS, Spencer starred for the Colorado Rapids from 2001-04, becoming the only player to be the team’s MVP and scoring leader in the same season more than once. The two-time MLS All-Star (2001, 2003) captained the Rapids to three straight playoff appearances from 2002-04. A two-time MLS Best XI selection, Spencer was inducted to the Rapids Gallery of Honor on Aug. 30, 2009.
Spencer, 41, was considered the Rapids’ undeniable leader due to his skill and work ethic. During his time with Colorado, he played in 88 games and his 37 goals ranks among franchise career leaders. Spencer led the Rapids in goals scored twice, set the club’s single-season mark for goals (14) and career mark for assists (17).
At the international level, Spencer earned 14 caps with the Scotland National Team from 1994-97. He earned his first cap for Scotland against Russia on November 16, 1994, in Glasgow. During his international career, Spencer played against England at Wembley Stadium in the 1996 European Championship.
Spencer and his wife, Amanda, have three children, Chantelle, Brad and Dylan, and live in the Portland area. One of Spencer’s favorite goal celebrations was to kiss his wedding ring in honor of his family.
