Stefan Cleveland

Biography

Stefan Daniel Cleveland (born May 25, 1994) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club Sporting Kansas City. Early life Cleveland was born in Dayton, Ohio, and attended The Miami Valley School. Career College and amateur Cleveland spent four years at Dartmouth College playing college soccer. After earning an engineering degree from Dartmouth College in 2016, Cleveland began graduate school at the University of Louisville in 2017. While at University of Louisville, Cleveland used his final season of NCAA eligibility playing for the Cardinals. In 2015, Cleveland appeared for Premier Development League side Dayton Dutch Lions. Professional On January 13, 2017, Cleveland was drafted in the second round as the 26th overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by Chicago Fire. He signed with the club on January 30, 2017. He made his professional debut on May 27, 2017, whilst on loan with Chicago's United Soccer League affiliate Tulsa Roughnecks during a 3–1 win over Portland Timbers 2. He made his MLS debut on August 4, 2018, starting in a 2–1 loss to Real Salt Lake, making 8 saves and allowing 2 goals. Cleveland was acquired by Seattle Sounders FC on November 26, 2019. He has mainly played for reserve team Tacoma Defiance or filled in for starting Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei during congested weeks of the season or with injuries. Cleveland played 16 matches during the 2021 season after Frei injured his knee early in the season. On January 19, 2022, Cleveland re-signed with the Sounders. On December 24, 2023, Austin FC acquired Cleveland as a free agent and signed him to a two-year deal with a club option for the third year.