Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Benjamin Vance Speas | ||
Date of birth | January 17, 1991 | ||
Place of birth | Stow, Ohio, United States | ||
Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
Playing position | Forward, Winger | ||
Club information | |||
Current team
|
Indy Eleven | ||
Youth career | |||
2002–2008 | Everest FC | ||
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 SC | 41 | (2) |
2016 | Minnesota United FC | 23 | (4) |
2017– | Indy Eleven | 2 | (1) |
National team‡ | |||
2007 | United States U17 | 10 | (1) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of November 1, 2016. ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of November 1, 2012 |
Benjamin Vance Speas (born January 17, 1991) is an American soccer player for Indy Eleven in the North American Soccer League.
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 FC and one season for the Columbus Crew Youth Academy.
In 2009, Speas committed to the University of Akron. 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. 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.
In July 2011, Speas transferred University of North Carolina. 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.
Speas also spent the 2010 season with the Michigan Bucks in the USL Premier Development League.
Speas signed a multi-year contract with the Columbus Crew as a Home Grown Player ahead of the 2012 season. 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. His contract was not renewed following the 2015 season.