Trevor Spangenberg Retires

One of the last remaining players from the original Birmingham Legion squad

Image credit: Birmingham Legion

Trevor Spangenberg has been with Birmingham Legion since their first season, and started in goal for their first-ever game. He was on the bench early on during the 2025 season, but wasn't available after the April 19 road game against Hartford. The Legion organization is historically tight-lipped about player absences, so fans have been left largely in the dark about Trevor's whereabouts. I have some connections with him behind the scenes, and have asked (and received approval) to share that Trevor has officially retired. Dealing with some recurring back issues, Trevor made the hard decision to hang up his boots in June, and he also chose not to make an announcement while the team was going through this season's trials, as he didn't want to be a distraction. The other side of that is that he hasn't gotten the recognition and send-off that he deserves. Which is why we're here now.

Professional history

Trevor began 2025 as one of the last two players remaining from the original Legion team (Matt van Oekel is the other). His tenure in Birmingham caps off a professional career that began when he was drafted by Chivas USA of MLS for the 2014 season. Chivas folded after that season, leading to Trevor being signed by New England Revolution, who was coached at that time by Jay Heaps (current Legion GM), with Tom Soehn on staff as an assistant coach. The Revs sent Spangenberg to Richmond on loan for one season, where he made two appearances.

For the 2016 season Trevor joined Puerto Rico FC, an expansion team in NASL that was owned by Carmelo Anthony. After ten games at Puerto Rico, he became the regular starter, with Austin Pack on the team as the second keeper, and Phanuel Kavita joined the club in the second season. The NASL had been playing under a provisional division 2 status and US Soccer didn't renew that status for 2018, effectively causing the league to be folded. Trevor returned to Richmond for 2018, where he started 15 games, and then found his way to Birmingham for their inaugural season.

Image credit: Birmingham Legion

Trevor made 42 appearances for Birmingham, including the inaugural game against Bethlehem Steel. He spent most of his time with Legion as the number 2 keeper behind Van Oekel, and there were occasions where he was the starter for a few stretches, as Van Oekel dealt with some injuries. There are two occasions that have always stood out to me personally.

The first was a game on the road against Orange County FC in April of 2023. OC scored the first goal of the match, and Legion responded soon after with a goal from Juan Agudelo. Birmingham took the lead in the second half from an Enzo Martinez goal. Trevor made a couple of big saves that night, but the biggest was a save at the death that came in hot and low. Trevor got down in the blink of an eye, and preserved the win for Birmingham, and was named the Man of the Match.

And then there was the epic home playoff game against Pittsburgh Riverhounds. I'm sad to say that I wasn't there in person, having planned a trip out of town months ahead of time. The game was a crazy back and forth affair that ended regular time at 1-1, and then both teams scored again in overtime to end tied back up at 2-2, sending the game to PK's. Just before overtime ended, Trevor was brought on to be between the sticks for the shootout. We watched that shootout on my phone in a bar in Orlando, with complete strangers gathered around to watch it with us. Trevor came up with two big saves on Pittsburgh's fourth and fifth kicks, keeping Birmingham's hopes alive. The shootout finally ended after nine rounds, and the Riverhounds moved on to the next round. It was incredibly intense.

As I said at the beginning, I have some connections with Trevor and he was also gracious enough to answer a few questions for me.

SESR: What's your favorite memory?

TS: Impossible to answer and I couldn’t pick just one. My whole time here in Birmingham feels like one big memory- from playing for the club, to getting to know the city, to coaching the youth players and building connections with the fans. On the field, there were so many special nights at the old BBVA with packed crowds,( 2 dollar beer and dollar hot dogs + fireworks on Wednesday nights) , our Open Cup run a few years back was incredible. Hosting two MLS teams and seeing the fanbase show up the way they did was unforgettable. The photos and atmosphere from those nights are things I’ll always hold on to. There's a soccer culture that runs deep here in Birmingham and those two games really put that on display.    

A good way to put it is that every time I got to pull on the jersey for this club is a memory I'll always cherish.  

SESR: What ahead for you as your next chapter?

TS: Couple ideas but right now just keeping the cards close.  Short answer, You can find me on the golf course trying to shave a few strokes and shoot more bogeys than doubles.

SESR: What will you miss most?

TS: Honestly, everything. Being a pro has been my dream since I was a kid, and I was able to live out that dream for 13 years. It was a ride that took me from college at Missouri State to Los Angeles (Chivas USA) my rookie year, then to Boston and New England Revolution, onto Puerto Rico for two years with Puerto Rico FC in the NASL, then to Richmond Virginia, and ultimately here with Birmingham in the great state of Alabama.  Sure, the ride ended sooner than I planned and I’ll miss all of it-  training every day, the buzz of game day, away trips with the guys, and especially the adrenaline rush coming off a hard-fought win. Nothing beats walking into the locker room after grinding out 3 Points.  I truly loved being a goalkeeper every single day.  

SESR: Do you have a message for the fans?

TS: Thank You so much and Hammer Down.  The support from everyone, the relationships I built in the city, and the youth players I was able to coach, all of it means so much. Getting to know so many people personally made it more than just playing in front of a crowd here. Every person who showed up, win or lose, sent messages before and after games, supported no matter what, really made this place feel like home, and I’ll always be grateful for that.   

Lastly, I would like to say thanks to Trevor for everything he's done to make Birmingham Legion more meaningful to me as a fan. He's always been incredibly gracious, and I know my family will miss seeing him down on the field after games. Good luck and best wishes for what comes next.