Kipp Keller Bio
Kipp Christian Keller (born July 14, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for United Soccer League club New Mexico United. Standing 185 cm tall, he operates primarily as a center back and has built his career through Major League Soccer and its developmental divisions, as well as loans within the MLS Next Pro ecosystem. He first gained attention as one of the top picks in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft and has continued to develop through multiple clubs across the United States.
Early Life and Background
Kipp Christian Keller was born on July 14, 2000, in St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States. Growing up in a region with a deep soccer tradition, he developed an early passion for the sport and pursued competitive play from a young age. His hometown of St. Louis has long been recognized as a hotbed for American soccer talent, providing him with a strong foundation of youth coaching and competitive matches.
Keller attended The Principia, a high school in St. Louis, where he played on the school soccer team. He was named a First-team All-State selection and helped lead The Principia to a state championship during his freshman year. In addition to his high school career, he played club soccer with the Saint Louis FC academy and contributed to the Under-19 side that advanced to the USSDA playoffs in 2018.
Path to Soccer
Keller signed an academy contract with Saint Louis FC in 2019 and made a single appearance for the club in the US Open Cup on May 29, 2019, against Forward Madison. That brief first-team experience gave him an early look at professional-level competition while he was still in his late teens.
Later in 2019, Keller enrolled at Saint Louis University to play college soccer for the Billikens. Over three seasons, he made 49 appearances, scored five goals, and recorded two assists. His college honors included second-team All-Conference and A-10 All-Rookie team in 2019, second-team All-Conference in 2020, second-team All-American recognition in 2021, and the Atlantic-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year award in 2021. During the 2021 season, he and the Billikens advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA College Cup.
Kipp Keller Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Keller’s earliest senior minutes came with Saint Louis FC in 2019, where a single US Open Cup appearance introduced him to professional soccer. He balanced that brief stint with his transition into the Saint Louis University college program, establishing himself as a reliable defender from his very first season.
Across the 2019, 2020, and 2021 college campaigns, he earned consistent conference recognition and was a defensive cornerstone for the Billikens. He was also part of the USL League Two roster for St. Louis Scott Gallagher during their 2021 season, although he did not make an appearance for the club. By the end of his junior year, he had become one of the most decorated defensive players in the Atlantic-10 Conference.
Austin FC Era (2022–2023)
In January 2022, Keller signed a Generation Adidas contract with Major League Soccer and left college a year early to enter the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. On January 11, 2022, he was selected fifth overall by Austin FC. He made his professional debut on February 26, 2022, starting against FC Cincinnati in a 5–0 win, marking an impressive first outing at the top level of American soccer.
His role changed during the 2023 season, and after a difficult opening match, Keller was loaned to Austin FC II for the remainder of the year. He appeared in 16 games as a center back during their 2023 MLS Next Pro Cup campaign, gaining valuable minutes and continuing his development. On November 17, 2023, Austin FC announced that they would not exercise his 2024 option.
FC Cincinnati Era (2024)
In December 2023, Keller signed with FC Cincinnati following the conclusion of his contract with Austin FC. During the 2024 season, he featured for Cincinnati’s senior team and also appeared for FC Cincinnati 2 in MLS Next Pro to maintain match fitness. His time in Cincinnati provided him with another environment to refine his defensive approach and adjust to a new tactical system.
Minnesota United Era (2025)
In December 2024, Keller was selected by Minnesota United FC in Stage 1 of the MLS Re-Entry Draft. He joined the club ahead of the 2025 season, splitting his time between the senior squad and Minnesota United FC 2 in MLS Next Pro. The move offered him a fresh opportunity to compete for minutes at the MLS level after his exit from Austin.
New Mexico United Era (2025–Present)
On August 22, 2025, New Mexico United announced the acquisition of Kipp Christian Keller for the remainder of the 2025 USL Championship season. The move brought him to the United Soccer League and gave him a chance to feature regularly for a club pushing for late-season results.
Driving Style and Strengths
Keller is recognized primarily as a center back who reads the game well and contributes on both sides of the ball. His college record of five goals across 49 appearances shows a willingness to step forward into attacks, while his conference defensive award in 2021 highlights his core strengths in organizing the back line and winning key duels.
Notable Events and Milestones
Keller’s fifth-overall selection in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft stands as a defining milestone, as does his professional debut in Austin FC’s 5–0 win over FC Cincinnati. Reaching the NCAA College Cup quarterfinals with Saint Louis University in 2021 and earning Second-team All-American honors that same year further underline his standing as one of the more accomplished defenders of his college generation.
Kipp Keller Career Wins
Kipp Christian Keller’s career is defined more by individual recognition and selection milestones than by major senior trophies. His biggest wins to date came in the form of top draft placement, conference awards, and team achievements during his youth and college years, including a state championship with The Principia in his freshman season and an NCAA College Cup quarterfinal appearance with Saint Louis University in 2021.
College and Youth Highlights
At the college level, Keller’s standout season was 2021, when he was named Atlantic-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year and earned Second-team All-American honors. He also collected second-team All-Conference recognition in both 2019 and 2020, reflecting consistent performance throughout his three years at Saint Louis University.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond college, Keller reached the USSDA playoffs with the Saint Louis FC academy’s Under-19 side in 2018, and he was part of the Austin FC II squad that competed in the 2023 MLS Next Pro Cup. His professional debut with Austin FC resulted in a 5–0 victory over FC Cincinnati, one of the more decisive opening results for a young defender entering MLS.
Kipp Keller Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Kipp Christian Keller’s family background is limited, and detailed details about his parents and any extended sports lineage have not been widely reported.
Personal Life
Keller was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and continues his professional career within the United States. He is not publicly known to be married, and confirmed information about a spouse or children has not been disclosed.
2025 Season Performance
Kipp Christian Keller began 2025 with Minnesota United FC after being selected in the MLS Re-Entry Draft in December 2024. He split time between the senior squad and Minnesota United FC 2 in MLS Next Pro, working to establish himself within the first-team setup.
On August 22, 2025, New Mexico United announced the acquisition of Keller for the remainder of the 2025 USL Championship season. The move gave him a fresh platform to play consistent senior minutes in a competitive lower-division environment.
Looking ahead, Keller is expected to finish the 2025 campaign with New Mexico United, with opportunities to contribute in the USL Championship stretch run. His blend of MLS experience and prior MLS Next Pro minutes positions him as a versatile defensive option as he continues to pursue a longer-term top-flight role.