RAPIDS STRIKER JOHN SPENCER NAMED TO MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER'S PEPSI BEST 11

Spencer's Award First in MLS Career, First in Colorado Franchise History

DENVER (Tuesday, October 23, 2001) - Rapids forward John Spencer was named to the Major League Soccer Pepsi Best 11 on Saturday, October 20 at the Gala Awards Ceremony in Columbus, Ohio, after a record-breaking debut MLS season in Colorado.

Each year, Pepsi honors the best 11 players in Major League Soccer, selected from the league's three divisions, with the Best 11 award. MLS coaches, general managers, players and members of the Professional Soccer Reporters Association (PSRA) voted to determine the star-studded lineup.

The first player in Rapids history to earn the distinction, Spencer made his MLS and Colorado debut in 2001 with a team-leading 35 points on 14 goals and seven assists, setting a new single-season franchise record in both the goal and point categories. The Scotsman helped Colorado celebrate Independence Day with fireworks of his own, netting a hat trick - the first in team history - in front of more than 60,000 fans at Mile High Stadium in a 3-1 win against D.C. United. Spencer finished the season as the league's third-leading scorer.

Widely regarded as the best foreign acquisition in team history, the 31-year-old Spencer came to Major League soccer after a very successful 15-year European career, playing for such legendary sides as Everton and Chelsea of the English Premier League and Motherwell and Glasgow Rangers of the Scottish First Division.

After coming to the United States, Spencer embraced the community right away, and has been a fan favorite since his first game with the Rapids. Clearly, he is content with the new place in his career.

I love the Rapids," said Spencer told media earlier this year. "I feel more passionate for this club than any other I have played for. I won't be asking for any trades - they're going to have to kick me out of this place for me to leave. This is the happiest I've been in my career in the last 10 or 12 years. This is where I want to be."

The 2001 Pepsi Best 11 includes: Diego Serna (Fusion F.C.), Alex Pineda Chacon (Fusion F.C.), Peter Nowak (Chicago Fire), Preki (Fusion F.C.), Chris Armas (Chicago Fire), John Spencer (Colorado Rapids), Jeff Agoos (San Jose Earthquakes), Carlos Llamosa (Fusion F.C.), Pablo Mastroeni (Fusion F.C.), Greg Vanney (Los Angeles Galaxy) and Tim Howard (MetroStars).

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