Michael Collodi Bio
Michael Collodi is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club FC Dallas. Born on May 25, 2001, in Plano, Texas, he came through the FC Dallas academy and went on to play four seasons of college soccer for the Columbia Lions. After turning professional in 2024 with North Texas SC, the club’s developmental side in MLS Next Pro, he signed a Homegrown Player contract with FC Dallas in early 2025 and made his MLS debut later that spring.
Standing 183 centimeters tall, Collodi is a shot-stopper whose career has moved quickly from youth development to a first-team role. His rise has been marked by consistent playing time, conference recognition in college, and a league-wide award in his first professional season.
Early Life and Background
Michael Collodi was born on May 25, 2001, in Plano, Texas, to Stacey and Mike Collodi. Both of his parents were student-athletes at the Colorado School of Mines, giving the household a strong connection to competitive sports from an early age.
Growing up in the Dallas area placed Collodi in one of the most active youth soccer regions in the United States. That environment, combined with his family’s athletic background, encouraged him to pursue the sport seriously and to aim for a pathway that combined high-level training with an education.
Path to Soccer
Collodi joined the FC Dallas academy in 2015 and spent the next four years developing within one of Major League Soccer’s longest-running youth systems. He trained as a goalkeeper throughout his time in the academy, working on the technical and tactical skills required for the position.
In 2019, after completing his youth development with FC Dallas, Collodi committed to Columbia University, where he played for the Columbia Lions from 2019 through 2023. He stepped in as an immediate starter as a freshman and went on to make 58 appearances, all of them starts, across his four college seasons.
Michael Collodi Career
Early Career (2019-2023)
Collodi’s first notable stretch came at Columbia University, where he became the team’s starting goalkeeper right away. Over four seasons he set a high standard for himself, finishing his college career ranked second all-time in career saves at the program with 237 saves.
His college performances earned him consecutive Honorable Mention All-Ivy League selections in 2021 and 2022, followed by a Second Team All-Ivy League nod in 2023. Those honors reflected his growth into one of the more reliable goalkeepers in the Ivy League during his final years with the Lions.
North Texas SC Breakthrough (2024)
After graduating from Columbia in early 2024, Collodi signed with North Texas SC, FC Dallas’ developmental team in MLS Next Pro. The move gave him his first full-time professional environment and a clear opportunity to compete for minutes at a high level.
In his debut professional season, Collodi made 27 appearances and recorded 90 saves, five clean sheets, and 17 wins. His strong form was recognized across the league when he was named the 2024 MLS Next Pro Goalkeeper of the Year, a major individual honor in his first year as a professional.
FC Dallas Era (2025-Present)
On January 9, 2025, Collodi signed a Homegrown Player contract with FC Dallas, officially joining the senior MLS roster. The contract reflected his progress through the club’s academy and his standout season with North Texas SC.
He made his Major League Soccer debut on March 22, 2025, starting in a 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake. The opportunity came while first-choice goalkeeper Maarten Paes was on international duty with Indonesia, allowing Collodi to step into the starting role and pick up a clean sheet in his first MLS appearance.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although goalkeepers do not drive in the traditional sense, Collodi’s strengths on the field include shot-stopping, command of his penalty area, and consistency over a long stretch of matches. His four years of starting experience at Columbia, followed by 27 appearances in MLS Next Pro, gave him the kind of regular rhythm that helps young goalkeepers refine their decision-making and positioning.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Collodi’s early career are his 2024 MLS Next Pro Goalkeeper of the Year award and his MLS debut clean sheet against Real Salt Lake on March 22, 2025. His 237 career saves at Columbia also stand as a major milestone, placing him second in program history.
Michael Collodi Career Wins
Although goalkeepers are typically credited with team wins rather than individual victories, Collodi’s professional record shows a strong winning habit. Across his appearances with North Texas SC in 2024, he was on the winning side 17 times, helping the club compete at the top of MLS Next Pro.
MLS Next Pro Highlights
In his first professional season with North Texas SC in 2024, Collodi made 27 appearances and contributed to 17 wins, while also recording five clean sheets and 90 saves. His performances led to him being named the 2024 MLS Next Pro Goalkeeper of the Year.
Other Wins and Performances
Collodi’s college career at Columbia also included notable stretches of team success, highlighted by his selection as Honorable Mention All-Ivy League in 2021 and 2022 and Second Team All-Ivy League in 2023. His record of 58 starts across four seasons underlined his durability and consistency between the posts.
Michael Collodi Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Michael Collodi was raised in Plano, Texas, by Stacey and Mike Collodi, both of whom were student-athletes at the Colorado School of Mines. Their athletic backgrounds helped shape his early interest in competitive sports and his path into organized soccer.
Personal Life
Public details about Collodi’s personal life remain limited. He continues to be based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area while playing for FC Dallas, and he maintains a presence on social media through his official Instagram account.
2025 Season Performance
Collodi’s 2025 season began with the announcement of his Homegrown Player contract with FC Dallas on January 9, formally elevating him to the senior roster. The agreement was a clear sign that the club viewed him as part of its long-term goalkeeping plans after a strong 2024 with North Texas SC.
He made his Major League Soccer debut on March 22, 2025, starting in a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake while Maarten Paes was away with Indonesia. That clean sheet offered an early benchmark for his MLS career and showed his readiness to contribute when called upon.
Looking ahead through the rest of 2025, Collodi is expected to continue developing behind Paes while competing for additional starts in cup play, MLS regular-season matches, and any international breaks that open the door for minutes. His combination of college durability, an award-winning first professional season, and a clean first MLS appearance gives him strong momentum heading into the middle of his rookie MLS year.