Shay_Spitz
Shay Phillip Spitz (Chinese: 史必; born 27 January 1988) is a former Hong Kong-born New Zealand professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Shay Phillip Spitz[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1988-01-27) 27 January 1988 (age 36) | ||
| Place of birth | Hong Kong | ||
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2006–2009 | Cal State Fullerton Titans | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2010 | Hollywood United | 16 | (4) |
| 2011–2012 | Rockdale City Suns | 22 | (4) |
| 2012 | Los Angeles Blues | 10 | (0) |
| 2012–2013 | Kitchee | 6 | (0) |
| 2013 | Los Angeles Blues | 18 | (4) |
| 2014 | Richmond Kickers | 26 | (4) |
| 2014–2015 | Rangers | 8 | (0) |
| 2015–2020 | Southern | 80 | (3) |
| International career | |||
| 2012– | United States (beach soccer) | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| 2018–2020 | Southern (fitness coach) | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 29 June 2020 | |||
Spitz holds United States citizenship as well, but grew up in Singapore, Portugal and Australia.[1] Despite holding New Zealand and American citizenship, Spitz did not spend time growing up in either country.
College and amateur
Spitz took classes at Orange Coast College in Orange County, California for one semester, but did not play intercollegiate soccer. In 2006, Spitz transferred to California State University, Fullerton and played college soccer for four years, making 77 appearances and scoring 12 goals.[citation needed]
Spitz also spent the 2010 season with Hollywood United Hitmen in the USL Premier Development League.[2]
Professional
On 15 February 2012, Spitz signed a professional contract with USL Pro club Los Angeles Blues[3] and made his debut on 4 May in a 2-1 win over the Wilmington Hammerheads.[4]
Kitchee
On 12 September 2012, Spitz signed a professional contract with Hong Kong First Division club Kitchee.[5] He was forced to leave the club after reports that he did not have a work permit which was required even though he was born in Hong Kong.[6]
Los Angeles Blues
In March 2013, Spitz rejoined Los Angeles Blues. He scored his first goal for the club on 26 April 2013 in a 4-0 victory over the Wilmington Hammerheads.[7]
Southern District
On 9 July 2015, Spitz joined Southern after a season with Hong Kong Rangers.
On 2 July 2017, Southern announced on Facebook that Spitz would return for the upcoming season.[8]
On 29 June 2020, it was announced that Spitz would leave the club and return to Australia to develop his career.
Spitz was included in the 12-player roster of United States national beach soccer team for Copa Salvador del Mundo 2013.[9]
Shay Spitz's younger brother Tyler Spitz plays for the Hong Kong national rugby union team.[10]
- "Shay Spitz". 17 September 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- 2010 Hollywood United Hitmen stats Archived 2013-02-05 at archive.today
- "Blues Add Spitz To Squad". uslsoccer.com. United Soccer Leagues. 15 February 2012. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
- "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 17 May 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- "傑志簽土生洋將 左路如虎添翼". now.com. 11 September 2012.
- "HKFA to review eligibility rules after Kitchee fields Hong Kong-born Kiwi". South China Morning Post. 12 April 2013.
- "Blues Sweep Past Hammerheads". USL Pro. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
- "Majority of backbone players to stay with KC Southern". Facebook. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
- "U.S. Beach Soccer Head Coach Eddie Soto Names 12-Player Roster for Copa Salvador del Mundo 2013". 30 July 2013. Archived from the original on 4 September 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- "欖球亞錦賽 港超腳胞弟建功 香港客勝韓國". Upower. 28 May 2017.
1. https://www.offside.hk/league/shay-spitz-i-was-a-third-culture-child-and-football-helped-me/
- Shay Spitz at Soccerway
- Cal State Fullerton bio