Ben Speas

Benjamin Vance Speas (born January 17, 1991) is a former American soccer player who previously played as a forward. Speas played for Columbus Crew, Minnesota United, Indy Eleven and North Carolina FC, before retiring on November 10, 2020.[1]

Ben Speas
Personal information
Full name Benjamin Vance Speas
Date of birth (1991-01-17) January 17, 1991
Place of birth Stow, Ohio, United States
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Forward, Winger
Youth career
2002–2008 Everest SC
2007 IMG Soccer Academy
2008–2009 Columbus Crew
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2010 Akron Zips 50 (4)
2011 North Carolina Tar Heels 26 (7)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010 Michigan Bucks 4 (0)
2012–2015 Columbus Crew 41 (2)
2016 Minnesota United 26 (4)
2017–2019 Indy Eleven 50 (7)
2019 → North Carolina FC (loan) 27 (2)
2020 North Carolina FC 14 (1)
Total 162 (16)
International career‡
2007 United States U17 10 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 3, 2020
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of November 1, 2012

Career

Youth, college and amateur

As a Senior at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, Speas was the Eighth-ranked senior in the nation according to ESPN Rise. He is also a Two-time Parade All-American and a Two-time NSCAA High School Boys All-American. He also played six seasons for Everest SC (Hudson, OH) and one season for the Columbus Crew Youth Academy.

In 2009, Speas committed to the University of Akron.[2] In his freshman year, Speas appeared in all 25 matches and finished with two goals and three assists and was named College Cup All-Tournament Team. Akron finished the year unbeaten at 23-0-2, however they would eventually lose the College Cup final to the University of Virginia on penalties.[3] In 2010, Speas appeared in all 25 games and finished with two goals and three assists. Akron would return to the National Title game and this time would come out on top after defeating top ranked Louisville 1-0 and capturing the school's first ever national title in any sport.[4]

In July 2011, Speas transferred University of North Carolina.[5] In his first and only season with the Tar Heels in 2011, Speas started 25 of his 26 appearances and recorded seven goals and 10 assists. One of the seven goals came in the College Cup final against UNC Charlotte, which also turned out to be the goal that won the National title for the Tar Heels.[6]

Speas also spent the 2010 season with the Michigan Bucks in the USL Premier Development League.[7]

Columbus Crew SC

Speas signed a multi-year contract with the Columbus Crew as a Home Grown Player ahead of the 2012 season.[8] His debut didn't come until the final day of the season on October 28 as he got the start and went 64 minutes in Columbus's 2-1 victory over Toronto FC.[9] His contract was not renewed following the 2015 season.[10]

Minnesota United FC

In February 2016, Speas signed with North American Soccer League side Minnesota United.[11]

International

Speas was a member of the U.S. Soccer Residency program in 2007. He made 10 appearances for the U.S. U17 and scored one goal. He was also called into both the U18 and U20 national team camps although he never made an official appearance for them.

Honors

University of Akron

University of North Carolina

Individual

References
  1. Birkedal, Morgan (November 10, 2020). "Ben Speas to Retire After a Nine-Year Professional Soccer Career". NorthCarolinaFC.com. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  2. "Men's Soccer Officially Announces Top-Ranked Recruiting Class". gozips.com. University of Akron. February 9, 2009. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  3. "Akron Falls to Virginia in National Championship Game". gozips.com. University of Akron. December 13, 2009. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  4. "The New Gold Standard: Men's Soccer Captures National Title". gozips.com. University of Akron. December 12, 2010. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  5. Beaven, Michael (July 23, 2011). "UA's Ben Speas moves on to North Carolina soccer team". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  6. "Tar Heels Claim National Title". goheels.com. University of North Carolina. December 11, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  7. "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". www.uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  8. "Crew signs NCAA College Cup MVP Ben Speas as homegrown player". TheCrew.com. Crew Communications. January 11, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  9. Merz, Craig (October 28, 2012). "Match Recap: Crew vs. Toronto FC". Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  10. "Core of Eastern Conference Champion Columbus Crew SC to return in 2016 as club exercises options on 11 contracts". Crew SC Communications. December 7, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  11. "Ben Speas signs for Minnesota United". Minnesota United FC. February 12, 2016. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
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