VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Wednesday that the club has exercised the 2018 contract option on goalkeeper Spencer Richey and loaned him to FC Cincinnati through December 31, 2018.
"Spencer made great strides this past year and this move is the next step in his development," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. "FC Cincinnati will provide Spencer a different challenge and an opportunity to earn valuable playing time. Goalkeeper coach Stewart Kerr and I will closely track his progress."
Richey, 25, joins his former Whitecaps FC 2 coach Alan Koch in the USL's Eastern Conference after leading Whitecaps FC 2 with 17 starts, 55 saves, and three clean sheets, while finishing with a 1.53 goals-against average during the 2017 USL season.
The Seattle, Washington native has made five first-team appearances, earning MLS Save of the Week honours in his MLS debut this past March against Toronto FC. Richey recorded wins in each of his two starts in the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League, and also manned the net for the 'Caps in both legs of their 2017 Canadian Championship semifinal series versus Montreal Impact.
The 6-foot-1 goalkeeper was selected by Whitecaps FC in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, then was signed to a USL contract in March 2015. He earned a first-team contract in December 2016, which included a 2018 club option that was picked up following the 2017 MLS season.
FC Cincinnati enjoyed a semifinal finish in the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in August, then concluded the 2017 USL regular season in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
TRANSACTION: Vancouver Whitecaps FC exercised Spencer Richey's 2018 contract option and loaned the keeper to United Soccer League side FC Cincinnati through December 31, 2018.
