Joseph Greenspan

Hometown: Westfield, New Jersey
Citizenship: USA
Birth date: September 12, 1992
College: Navy
Acquired: Drafted by the Colorado Rapids in the second round (#26 pick overall) of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. An ensign in the U.S. Navy, he officially signed with the Rapids on June 5, 2015, having been granted permission to train and play for the club around the fulfillment of his Naval duties.

MLS CAREER

2016

• Began the 2016 season in San Diego with the U.S. Navy aboard a destroyer.
• Rejoined the Rapids on July 4, and given an assignment in Denver by the Navy.
• On July 7, he was sent on loan to neighbors Colorado Springs Switchbacks of the USL, where he made four appearances.
• His Switchbacks debut came in a 1-1 tie at Portland Timbers II on July 7, when he started and played the full 90 minutes. He was sent off in his second game for the Switchbacks, having picked up two yellow cards in the 2-1 defeat at Seattle Sounders FC II on July 10.
• Returning to the Rapids, Greenspan was an unused substitute for the 2-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Dick's Sporting Goods Park (August 6).
• Sent on loan to USL affiliate Charlotte Independence at the end of August.
• Greenspan made his debut for Charlotte as an 81st minute substitute in the 3-2 home win over FC Cincinnati on August 31, replacing Brian Brown.
• His first start for the Independence came in the next game, a 5-1 win at Toronto FC II on September 4.
• Made his 2016 debut for the Rapids in the last minute of the 3-2 win at Houston Dynamo (10/8), when pushed on as a target forward.

2015

• Drafted in the second round (#26 pick overall) of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, it was initially understood that Greenspan would not be available to the Rapids due to his commitment to the U.S. Navy.
• He had previously already trained with the team in two spells, and featured in preseason friendlies against UNLV and San Jose in Las Vegas, prior to officially joining the club.
• An ensign, Greenspan officially signed with the Rapids on June 5, 2015, having been granted permission to train and play for the club around the fulfillment of his Naval duties.
• He made his Rapids debut on June 16 in the 4-1 home win over Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and was among the scorers.
• His MLS debut came just eight days later when he started in the 2-0 loss at Orlando City SC, playing at right back.
• The 6'6" defender would feature again in the team's next outing, a 2-0 reversal at Sporting Kansas City. His last appearance of 2015 came late in the 1-0 home defeat to the Montreal Impact (10/10), when he was pushed on as a target striker.
• During 2015, Greenspan split his time between the Rapids and U.S. Navy commitments, which meant him being based at an office in Denver. 

COLLEGE

• Greenspan is one of the most decorated players in the history of Navy men's soccer, earning All-American honors as both a junior and senior and leading The Mids to the school's first NCAA tournament win in 42 years in 2013.
• In May (2015), he was awarded the NAAA Sword for Men, which is presented to the man of the graduating class who is considered by the Association's Athletic Council to have personally excelled in men's athletics during his years of varsity competition.

2014 - SENIOR:

• Named to the NSCAA All-America First Team. Also named to the College Soccer News All-America First Team and the TopDrawerSoccer.com Best XI First Team.
• Named a MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, while selected to the NSCAA All-Northeast Region First Team and the ECAC All-Star First Team.
• Tabbed as the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season, named to the All-Patriot League First Team, was two-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week and also named to the CollegeSoccerNews.com Team of the Week.
• Earned a number of preseason accolades heading into the 2014 season, including being named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, TopDrawerSoccer.com Preseason Best XI First Team, College Soccer News Preseason All-America First Team, Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and the Preseason All-Patriot League Team.
• Greenspan helped Navy post nine shutouts with a 0.65 goals-against average. He also scored four points on one goal and two assists.
• In 2014, Greenspan became Navy's all-time leader in career games played with 78, finishing his four-year career at Navy with 78 games played, 75 games started, 42 points, 18 goals, six assists and 6,627 minutes played. He played over 1,900 minute in each of his last two seasons.

PERSONAL

• Greenspan lettered three times in soccer at Westfield High School, before graduating in 2011.
• Led team to a county championship in 2010.
• Was a two-time all-county, all-conference, all-area and all-state selection at Westfield, he also lettered in basketball and swimming and was an all-conference basketball player as a senior.
• A member of the swimming team that won a state championship in 2009, and played for the prestigious Match Fit Chelsea Academy FC as part of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Seven of his teammates at Match Fit signed Division I scholarships.
• Born in Summit, N.J., he is the son of Brian and Andrea Greenspan. Majored in economics.