Brian Schwake Bio
Brian Oliver Schwake is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club Nashville SC. Born on August 24, 2001, in Mount Prospect, Illinois, Schwake built his early career in Scotland before moving to Spain and eventually returning to North America. Standing at 188 centimeters tall, he has earned a reputation as a reliable shot-stopper with strong distribution skills.
Schwake first rose to attention in the Scottish football pyramid, where his performances on loan at lower-division clubs established him as a promising young goalkeeper. After a successful spell in the SPFL, he signed with Spanish side CD Castellón in 2023 before completing a transfer to Nashville SC on January 23, 2025.
Early Life and Background
Brian Oliver Schwake was born on August 24, 2001, in Mount Prospect, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Growing up in the United States, he developed his goalkeeping talents in American youth soccer before pursuing opportunities abroad. In addition to his American nationality, Schwake is also a citizen of Luxembourg through family descent, giving him dual eligibility in international competitions.
Schwake attended DePaul University, where he played college soccer for the DePaul Blue Demons during his freshman year. His performances at the collegiate level were enough to attract attention from professional clubs in Europe, and he decided to leave the college pathway to pursue a professional contract overseas.
Path to Professional Soccer
Schwake’s entry into professional soccer came through Scottish Premiership side Livingston, who signed him after his freshman season at DePaul. His first months in Scotland were complicated by the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited his opportunities to feature for Livingston’s senior squad. To gain competitive minutes, he was sent on loan to Linlithgow Rose in 2020, where he participated in the club’s 2020–21 Scottish Cup run.
During the 2021–22 season, Schwake was loaned to Edinburgh City, where his development accelerated. He appeared in 34 league games, recording 125 saves, the second-highest total in the SPFL that season behind veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon. His strong performances earned him SPFL Team of the Week honors in August 2021 and again in March 2022, and he played a key role in Edinburgh City’s promotion to League One, earning Man of the Match recognition from BBC Alba for his saves in the second leg of the promotion play-off final. He was subsequently named to the SPFL League 2 Team of the Season for 2021–22.
Brian Schwake Career
Early Career in Scotland (2020–2023)
Schwake’s professional journey began with Livingston in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic restricted his senior opportunities. After a developmental loan at Linlithgow Rose, he spent the 2021–22 season at Edinburgh City, where his 34 league appearances and 125 saves established him as one of the top young goalkeepers in Scottish lower-division football.
On June 16, 2022, Livingston announced a loan move for Schwake to Greenock Morton for the 2022–23 season. He was named to the SPFL Team of the Round on July 21, 2022, and to the SPFL Team of the Week on November 22, 2022. Described as highly accurate in possession, he completed 73 percent of his long passes. He finished the season with 11 clean sheets, tied for the most in the league, and ranked second for total saves. Despite Livingston offering him a new contract in May 2023, Schwake declined and ended his time with the club.
CD Castellón Era (2023–2025)
On August 4, 2023, CD Castellón announced an agreement to sign Schwake until June 2024. Used primarily as a cup goalkeeper in Spain, he made his debut on October 31, 2023, helping Castellón to a 3–2 extra-time victory over Cacereño in the first round of the Copa del Rey. He added another appearance in the second round on December 5, 2023, as Castellón upset Segunda División side Real Oviedo 2–1.
In his third Copa del Rey match against La Liga club Osasuna, the previous season’s Spanish Cup runners-up, Schwake delivered a standout performance on January 7, 2024, recording ten saves. He was named to Fútbol Total’s Team of the Round, even though Osasuna eventually prevailed 1–0 after extra time. On March 1, 2024, CD Castellón announced a contract extension keeping Schwake at the club through 2025, after which he departed for Major League Soccer.
Nashville SC Era (2025–Present)
On January 23, 2025, CD Castellón announced the transfer of Schwake to Major League Soccer side Nashville SC. He debuted for the club in the U.S. Open Cup on May 6, 2025, helping Nashville SC to a victory against Chattanooga Red Wolves and becoming the first goalkeeper in club history to keep a clean sheet in his debut. Schwake appeared in all subsequent U.S. Open Cup matches for the team.
On October 1, 2025, Schwake made his fifth consecutive U.S. Open Cup start for the Boys in Gold, stopping seven shots to remain undefeated through his first season in Nashville with a 5W-0L-0D record. He was named Man of the Match for his performance, becoming the first goalkeeper in Nashville SC history to win his first five starts with the club.
Notable Events and Milestones
Schwake’s career is marked by several historic firsts. He became the first goalkeeper in Nashville SC history to keep a clean sheet on his debut, and later the first to win his first five starts for the club. His ten-save performance against Osasuna in the Copa del Rey and his SPFL League 2 Team of the Season selection with Edinburgh City further underscore his reputation for delivering in high-pressure matches.
Brian Schwake Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Brian Oliver Schwake has accumulated notable results across Scottish, Spanish, and American competitions. His cup debut wins with CD Castellón, including a victory over Real Oviedo, and his unbeaten U.S. Open Cup run with Nashville SC highlight his ability to perform in knockout formats.
Nashville SC Highlights
Schwake joined Nashville SC in January 2025 and quickly became a key contributor in the U.S. Open Cup. He debuted with a clean sheet against Chattanooga Red Wolves on May 6, 2025, and went on to start all subsequent matches in the competition, recording five consecutive wins without a loss. His seven-save performance on October 1, 2025, earned him Man of the Match honors and cemented his place in club history as the first goalkeeper to win his first five starts.
Other Wins and Performances
During his time at Edinburgh City in 2021–22, Schwake played a central role in the club’s promotion to League One, earning Man of the Match recognition in the promotion play-off final. At CD Castellón, he contributed to victories over Cacereño and Real Oviedo in the Copa del Rey, performances that helped earn him a contract extension through 2025.
Brian Schwake Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Brian Oliver Schwake holds dual nationality, being both American and a citizen of Luxembourg through family descent. Born and raised in Mount Prospect, Illinois, he has pursued his professional soccer career abroad, first in Scotland and then in Spain, before returning to the United States to play for Nashville SC.
2025 Season Performance
Brian Schwake’s 2025 season has been defined by his cup performances for Nashville SC. After completing his transfer from CD Castellón in January, he established himself as the club’s starting goalkeeper in the U.S. Open Cup, helping the team advance through multiple rounds while maintaining a perfect record. His early debut clean sheet set the tone for a memorable first season in Major League Soccer.
As of October 1, 2025, Schwake had recorded five consecutive U.S. Open Cup wins, stopping seven shots in his most recent start to remain undefeated. His ability to deliver in high-stakes knockout matches has made him a fan favorite and a trusted presence between the posts for the Boys in Gold.
Looking ahead, Schwake’s strong cup form could position him for expanded minutes in Major League Soccer regular-season play. With his distribution skills and shot-stopping pedigree already on display, his first season in Nashville has laid a strong foundation for continued growth in the American top flight.