Revolution II midfielder Ryan Spaulding has already shown his versatility throughout the team’s short first preseason. Spaulding has seen time at midfield, fullback, and winger over four preseason games, and scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win over Hartford Athletic in a February friendly at Gillette Stadium. Let’s learn more about the Ryan:
1. New England Born, North Carolina Bred
Spaulding’s time with Revolution II marks his second time living in the region. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Spaulding lived in New England until he was nine years old when his family moved to Cary, North Carolina. Once there, he joined the Capital Area Soccer League academy program before transitioning the North Carolina FC Academy.
2. Overseas Experience
After two seasons playing college soccer at UNC-Charlotte, Spaulding received an invitation to go on trial with French side Stade Briochin and took full advantage of the opportunity. His trial period was successful and Spaulding signed his first professional contract, playing nine games for Briochin in early 2019. Later that year, he returned to the United States to sign with hometown club North Carolina FC in the USL Championship.
3. Communication is Key
Away from the pitch, Spaulding continues to follow a great passion of his by learning and speaking new languages, a subject in which he hopes to become an expert. Spaulding studied Spanish and German throughout high school, and when his professional soccer career took him to France, he quickly worked to become conversational in the language and was able to converse with his teammates and coaches in French within two months. He credits patience, practice, and others’ understanding as the most important elements when picking up a new language.
4. A Different Ball and Net
Though he has never played competitively, tennis has always been a sport that has called to Spaulding. While living in Connecticut, his father was a local professional at a nearby tennis club. Ryan learned how to play from a young age, watched every major tournament on television, and became a fan of Rafael Nadal – his favorite athlete. With soccer as his priority, Spaulding never could pursue competitive tennis, but still enjoys playing a casual match on occasion.
Here are some other fun facts about Ryan:
Favorite Food: Avocados
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Pistachio
Favorite TV Show: Psych
Favorite Soccer Memory: Scoring a hat trick in a 3-0 victory during the U-15 Disney Showcase Final while playing for CASL Elite Black. It was his last game with the team before moving up to the U-16 Developmental Academy team.
Favorite sport outside of soccer: Hockey
Animal you identify with the most: Koala
If you could have dinner with any celebrity who would it be: John Mulaney
