Brian Schaefer (born April 17, 2002) is an American soccer player who plays for FC Cincinnati 2 in MLS Next Pro.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | April 17, 2002 | ||
| Place of birth | Seattle, Washington, United States | ||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | FC Cincinnati 2 | ||
| Number | 38 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Jacksonville Armada | |||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2023 | South Florida Bulls | 53 | (5) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021 | Jacksonville Armada U-23 | ||
| 2022 | Tampa Bay United | 3 | (0) |
| 2023 | St. Petersburg FC | ||
| 2024– | FC Cincinnati 2 | 27 | (2) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 6, 2024 | |||
Early life
editSchaefer played youth soccer with the Jacksonville Armada.[1] Schaefer attended Fletcher High School and won the Gateway Conference championship in 2020 and was named the Player of the Year.[2][3]
College career
editIn 2020, Schaefer began attending the University of South Florida, where he played for the men's soccer team.[4] On March 6, 2021, he scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory over the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, for his first career collegiate goal,[5] subsequently being named to the American Athletic Conference Weekly Honor Roll.[6] At the end of his freshman season, he was named to the AAC All-Freshman Team.[7] In 2022, he was named to the All-ACC Second Team and an Academic All-District selection.[8][9]
Club career
editIn 2021, he played with the Jacksonville Armada U-23 in the National Premier Soccer League.[10]
In 2022, Schaefer played with Tampa Bay United in USL League Two.[11] In 2023, he played with St. Petersburg FC in USL League Two.[12]
At the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Schaefer was selected in the first round (27th overall) by FC Cincinnati.[1][13] After participating in training camp with the first team, he signed a professional contract with the second team, FC Cincinnati 2 of MLS Next Pro, in February.[14] He made his debut on March 17 against Chicago Fire FC II.[15] He scored his first goal on June 15 against Carolina Core FC.[16]
References
edit- ^ a b Freeman, Clayton (December 19, 2023). "Super Senator: Fletcher grad Brian Schaefer drafted in first round by FC Cincinnati of MLS". The Florida Times-Union.
- ^ Freeman, Clayton (January 17, 2020). "Schaefer powers Fletcher to Gateway boys soccer championship". The Florida Times-Union.
- ^ Barney, Justin (May 3, 2020). "All-News4Jax boys soccer: The Schaefer family secret is out". WJXT.
- ^ "USF Soccer Inks Two During Signing Period". USF Bulls. December 2, 2019.
- ^ Santos, Leonardo (March 6, 2021). "Pair of freshmen goals boost Bulls past No. 22 Tulsa for third consecutive win". The Oracle.
- ^ "Brian Schafer USF profile". USF Bulls.
- ^ "Four Bulls Earn Postseason AAC All-Conference Honors". USF Bulls. April 14, 2021.
- ^ "USF Men's Soccer Standouts Salvatore Mazzaferro and Brian Schaefer Earn AAC Honors". USF Bulls. November 9, 2022.
- ^ "South Florida's Brian Schaefer Selected by Cincinnati FC In First Round Of 2024 MLS Superdraft". South Florida Bulls. December 19, 2023.
- ^ "13 NPSL alums selected in MLS SuperDraft 2024". National Premier Soccer League. December 20, 2024.
- ^ "Brian Schaefer 2022 USL2 Stats". USL League Two.
- ^ "50 players selected in 2023 MLS SuperDraft". USL League Two. December 20, 2023.
- ^ Hagiwara, Kenta (December 19, 2023). "FC Cincinnati Draft Schaefer, Mboma Dem in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft". Area Sports Network.
- ^ "FC Cincinnati 2 sign defender Brian Schaefer". FC Cincinnati. February 15, 2024.
- ^ "FC Cincinnati 2 earn a point in MLS NEXT Pro season opener against Chicago Fire FC II". FC Cincinnati. March 17, 2024.
- ^ "FC Cincinnati 2 earn 3-1 win against Carolina Core FC in first trip to Truist Point". FC Cincinnati. June 15, 2024.
External links
edit- Brian Schaefer at Soccerway