Josh Cohen Bio
Joshua Cohen is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Atlanta United in Major League Soccer. Born on August 18, 1992, in Mountain View, California, Cohen rose through the American lower divisions before moving abroad to Israel, where he became one of the most decorated goalkeepers in Maccabi Haifa’s modern history. He is also an Israeli citizen, having acquired citizenship in 2021 under the Law of Return.
Cohen is widely recognized for his commanding presence in goal, his sharp shot-stopping ability, and his role in leading Maccabi Haifa to three consecutive Israeli Premier League titles. His performances during the 2020-21 campaign earned him the Israeli Premier League Player of the Season award, a rare honor for a goalkeeper.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Cohen was born in Mountain View, California, to a family of Jewish descent. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, he developed an early interest in soccer and trained in local youth programs before pursuing the sport at the collegiate level. His background would later connect him to Israel, where he would spend the most successful years of his professional career.
Cohen attended the University of California, San Diego, where he played four seasons of college soccer between 2010 and 2013. Off the field, he pursued a rigorous academic path, graduating with a degree in bioengineering and computer science. In 2012, he started 12 games and led all of NCAA Division II in goals against average and save percentage, earning a spot on the Daktronics All-America Second Team.
The following year, Cohen started 22 games and was recognized as an NSCAA All-America First Team selection. Across his collegiate career, he appeared in 51 matches, establishing himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the division. In early 2014, he was invited to a one-week trial with the Philadelphia Union, gaining his first taste of professional-level evaluation.
Path to Soccer
After completing his college career, Cohen transitioned into the professional ranks through the United Soccer League. In 2015, he joined USL PDL side Burlingame Dragons, where he made 11 appearances and posted a strong 0.636 goals against average. Later that year, he signed with Orange County Blues of the USL, opening a steady climb through the American soccer pyramid.
Cohen spent the 2016 season with Orange County before joining Phoenix Rising in 2017, where he won the starting goalkeeper role and made 28 starts. His outstanding form that season was highlighted by the September 2017 Player of the Month Award, earned with a 0.37 goals against average and an 88.9 percent save percentage. These performances established him as a serious professional prospect.
Josh Cohen Career
Sacramento Republic (2018-2019)
Cohen signed with Sacramento Republic FC of the USL Championship on January 16, 2018, with a club option for 2019. He played every minute of the 2018 USL Championship regular season, conceding 32 goals across 34 matches and earning twelve clean sheets. His consistency earned him a finalist nod for USL Goalkeeper of the Year and selection to the USL All-League Second Team.
He returned to Sacramento for the start of the 2019 season and made 16 appearances, allowing just 17 goals before his departure. His form in Northern California caught the attention of clubs abroad, setting the stage for a major move.
Maccabi Haifa (2019-2023)
On July 19, 2019, Sacramento Republic and Maccabi Haifa agreed to a transfer of Cohen to the Israeli Premier League club ahead of their 2019-20 season. Cohen made his first start on September 25, 2019, helping Maccabi Haifa to a 3-0 victory over Maccabi Netanya. Over his first 21 matches, he conceded only 15 goals and recorded 12 clean sheets, guiding Maccabi Haifa to a second-place finish in the first stage of the regular season.
Cohen was named the Israeli Premier League Player of the Season in 2020-21, leading Maccabi Haifa to their first league championship since 2010-11. In 2021-22, he anchored the league’s best defense with 16 clean sheets as Maccabi Haifa repeated as Israeli Premier League Champions. Their title qualified the club for the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League playoffs, where Cohen helped the team defeat Olympiacos, Apollon Limassol, and Red Star Belgrade before reaching the group stage. There, he made five saves in a memorable 2-0 clean sheet victory over Juventus.
In May 2023, Cohen and Maccabi Haifa clinched their third consecutive Israeli Premier League title with a 5-1 win over Maccabi Netanya. Across his four seasons in Israel, Cohen established himself as one of the league’s most consistent and decorated goalkeepers.
Atlanta United Era (2024-Present)
On December 14, 2023, Cohen signed with Major League Soccer club Atlanta United as a free agent, agreeing to a contract through the 2025 season with a club option for 2026. His arrival gave Atlanta an experienced international goalkeeper with a proven championship pedigree.
Cohen joined an Atlanta United side looking to restore its competitive edge in the Eastern Conference. His leadership, communication, and shot-stopping skills have provided a stabilizing presence in goal as the club builds toward sustained success.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cohen is recognized for his strong shot-stopping ability, sharp reflexes, and command of the penalty area. He pairs technical consistency with strong distribution skills, allowing his teams to build attacks from the back. His calmness in high-pressure moments has been a defining characteristic throughout his career, particularly during Maccabi Haifa’s deep European runs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Cohen’s signature moments is the 2-0 clean sheet victory over Juventus in the UEFA Champions League group stage, where he recorded five saves in one of the competition’s most storied environments. He also earned Israeli Premier League Player of the Season honors in 2020-21, an award typically reserved for outfield stars, underscoring his impact on the league.
Josh Cohen Career Wins
Cohen’s career features three consecutive Israeli Premier League titles with Maccabi Haifa, the Israeli Premier League Player of the Season award, and several individual monthly honors across the USL pyramid.
Israeli Premier League Highlights
During his time at Maccabi Haifa, Cohen won the Israeli Premier League title in 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23, anchoring a defense that produced the league’s best record in 2021-22 with 16 clean sheets. His performances helped the club return to the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time in over two decades.
Other Wins and Performances
Earlier in his career, Cohen earned the USL Player of the Month Award in September 2017 with Phoenix Rising. He was also a finalist for the USL Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2018 and was selected to the USL All-League Second Team that same year.
Josh Cohen Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Joshua Cohen was born in Mountain View, California, to a family of Jewish descent. His heritage played a meaningful role in his eventual move to Israel and his acquisition of Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return in February 2021.
Personal Life
Cohen maintains a relatively private personal life away from the field. He obtained Israeli temporary resident status in December 2019 and became a full Israeli citizen in February 2021, identifying with an Oleh Hadash status that reflects the Jewish diaspora’s connection to the State of Israel.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 MLS season, Cohen remains under contract with Atlanta United through the end of the year, with a club option for 2026. The club is expected to rely on his experience and leadership as it competes in the Eastern Conference.
His prior championship experience with Maccabi Haifa and his proven ability to perform in high-stakes matches make him a central figure in Atlanta’s competitive plans. As the season unfolds, Cohen’s performances in goal will be closely watched by both fans and the broader MLS community.
With a clear runway through 2025 and a club option beyond, Cohen’s tenure in Atlanta represents the next major chapter in a career that has spanned American and international football.