Nothing ever is with TFC.
Here’s the problem. TFC can’t sign Spencer to the first team. CSN has confirmed that Real Salt Lake holds his MLS rights. So, even if he did impress at TFC2, the Reds would still need to negotiate with RSL to gain his rights from them.
It’s also unclear whether Spencer is even close to MLS level. According to those who watched him at Indy last year he struggled in the NASL. He only had two goals in 11 appearances for the Eleven and it’s telling that he’s not going on loan at the NASL level again this year. It’s also a little odd that he’s not going to the Real Monarchs, RSL’s USL side.
Or, not. Spencer did live in Greg Vanney’s basement while he was at RSL academy. Additionally, a source close to the situation told CSN that Spenser’s situation at RSL was always contentious. There was conflict between Vanney and Garth Lagerwey about the player’s potential. They didn't indicate what exactly the conflict was about, but we know the former rates him and the latter was still giving out MLS contracts at RSL when Spencer fled to Norway.
So, to review: TFC2 has added a US youth international, of which they have no MLS rights to, to the roster. That, in turn, is taking development minutes away from players that TFC does hold the rights to.
Without even touching the domestic argument, how does this make sense?
You might make an argument that it makes TFC2 stronger this year and that winning at USL helps the overall development. There is some merit to that, but if that was a concern why not go out and add an established USL journeyman striker? There is no guarantee that a 20 year old kid with two career professional goals is going to do much of anything to make TFC2 better now.
In fact, the more you look at this the more it seems that this is just Vanney helping a kid out that he and his family is close to. That’s a great human interest story, but nepotism is not especially a smart development strategy.