The Colorado Rapids have a coaching vacancy after firing Gary Smith Monday. They might look to the Portland Timbers for a potential replacement.

Portland head coach John Spencer would be a logical top candidate for the job, based on his long time association with the franchise and his job guiding the Timbers in their inaugural season in Major League Soccer in 2011.

Spencer's work as an assistant coach in Houston for nearly five seasons - two MLS titles as an assistant coach under head coach Dominic Kinnear and a reserve league championship as coach - are just two reasons why the Timbers' hired him.

Spencer, who nearly led the Timbers to the playoff spot in 2011, could be viewed as a small- or mid-major college basketball coach who just guided his team to a successful run in the NCAA tournament. Now he's a hot commodity.

The Rapids would be foolish to not at least evaluate Spencer - they probably already have - to see if he would be a good fit and gauge Spencer's interest.

As a player, the 40-year-old Spencer

starred for the Rapids from 2001-04 and achieved near-legendary status.

Spencer's 37 goals ranks third on the Rapids' all-time scoring list. Spencer led the Rapids in goals scored in a season twice, was a two-time MLS Best XI selection (2001, 2003) and was a finalist for the league’s MVP award in 2003.

Spencer c

aptained

the Rapids to three straight playoff appearances from 2002-04 and he was inducted to the Rapids Gallery of Honor on Aug. 30, 2009.

Spencer settled in during his time with Colorado and maintains ties to the team and the community.

Smith was fired as coach after Colorado's loss to Kansas City in the conference semifinals Wednesday. Smith had been engaged in a season-long feud with Paul Bravo, the Rapids' technical director.

Others who might be considered candidates are former Colorado player and Chicago Fire coach Denis Hamlett, who was a candidate for the Timbers' job. Current Colorado assistant coach Steve Guppy and Steve Nicol, who was recently fired as coach of the New England Revolution, are candidates.

-- Geoffrey C. Arnold; follow him on Twitter.