Brian Schaefer

American soccer player

Brian Schaefer
Personal information
Date of birth (2002-04-17) April 17, 2002 (age 22)
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 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of March 28, 2024

Brian Schaefer (born April 17, 2002) is an American soccer player who plays for FC Cincinnati 2 in MLS Next Pro.

Early life

Schaefer 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

In 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

In 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]

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Freeman, Clayton (January 17, 2020). "Schaefer powers Fletcher to Gateway boys soccer championship". The Florida Times-Union.
  3. ^ Barney, Justin (May 3, 2020). "All-News4Jax boys soccer: The Schaefer family secret is out". WJXT.
  4. ^ "USF Soccer Inks Two During Signing Period". USF Bulls. December 2, 2019.
  5. ^ Santos, Leonardo (March 6, 2021). "Pair of freshmen goals boost Bulls past No. 22 Tulsa for third consecutive win". The Oracle.
  6. ^ "Brian Schafer USF profile". USF Bulls.
  7. ^ "Four Bulls Earn Postseason AAC All-Conference Honors". USF Bulls. April 14, 2021.
  8. ^ "USF Men's Soccer Standouts Salvatore Mazzaferro and Brian Schaefer Earn AAC Honors". USF Bulls. November 9, 2022.
  9. ^ "South Florida's Brian Schaefer Selected by Cincinnati FC In First Round Of 2024 MLS Superdraft". South Florida Bulls. December 19, 2023.
  10. ^ "13 NPSL alums selected in MLS SuperDraft 2024". National Premier Soccer League. December 20, 2024.
  11. ^ "Brian Schaefer 2022 USL2 Stats". USL League Two.
  12. ^ "50 players selected in 2023 MLS SuperDraft". USL League Two. December 20, 2023.
  13. ^ Hagiwara, Kenta (December 19, 2023). "FC Cincinnati Draft Schaefer, Mboma Dem in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft". Area Sports Network.
  14. ^ "FC Cincinnati 2 sign defender Brian Schaefer". FC Cincinnati. February 15, 2024.
  15. ^ "FC Cincinnati 2 earn a point in MLS NEXT Pro season opener against Chicago Fire FC II". FC Cincinnati. March 17, 2024.

External links

  • Brian Schaefer at Soccerway
  • v
  • t
  • e
FC Cincinnati 2 – current squad
  • 30 Morse
  • 33 Foster
  • 34 Aghedo
  • 38 Schaefer
  • 40 Guido
  • 42 Daley
  • 43 Castellano
  • 44 Stitz
  • 48 Machado
  • 49 Mangione
  • 50 Valoyes
  • 52 Ramos
  • 55 Tyrkus
  • 61 Samways
  • 64 Stout
  • 67 Bayless
  • 68 Hylton
  • 77 Chirila
  • 80 Matuskiewicz
  • 81 Belal
  • 96 Gibert
  • 99 Rizvanovich
  • v
  • t
  • e
FC Cincinnati first-round draft picks