Stefan Cleveland Bio
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. A Dayton, Ohio native, Cleveland played four years of college soccer at Dartmouth College before completing his education and entering the professional ranks through the MLS SuperDraft. Since then, he has built a journeyman career across several North American clubs, working primarily as a trusted backup who can step in when needed.
Standing 188 centimeters tall, Cleveland fits the modern goalkeeper profile and has earned a reputation for being dependable, technically sound, and prepared to perform under pressure. His professional journey has taken him from Chicago to Tulsa, Lansing, Seattle, Tacoma, Austin, and back to Kansas City, where he now continues his MLS career.
Early Life and Background
Stefan Daniel Cleveland was born on May 25, 1994, in Dayton, Ohio, in the United States. He grew up in the Miami Valley region and attended The Miami Valley School, where he developed his early interest in soccer and goalkeeping. Dayton’s strong soccer culture gave Cleveland a solid foundation of training and competition during his formative years.
Coming out of high school, Cleveland was regarded as a promising college-level goalkeeper prospect. He chose to pursue both academics and athletics at Dartmouth College, one of the most academically rigorous institutions in the Ivy League. Over the next four years, he balanced the demands of a top-tier engineering curriculum with the responsibilities of starting for the Dartmouth Big Green men’s soccer program.
Path to Soccer
Cleveland’s path toward professional soccer moved steadily through the American development pipeline. He spent four years representing Dartmouth College in NCAA competition, sharpening his shot-stopping, distribution, and command of the penalty area. During the summer of 2015, he gained additional senior-level experience by appearing for the Dayton Dutch Lions in the Premier Development League.
After graduating from Dartmouth in 2016 with an engineering degree, Cleveland enrolled at the University of Louisville in 2017 to begin graduate studies. He used his final season of NCAA eligibility to play for the Louisville Cardinals, which helped him maintain match sharpness while completing his academic transition. That same year, his college and amateur resume was strong enough to attract Major League Soccer scouts.
Stefan Cleveland Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
On January 13, 2017, Cleveland was selected in the second round as the 26th overall pick of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by Chicago Fire. He signed a professional contract with the club on January 30, 2017, officially beginning his MLS career. Because roster spots at the goalkeeper position were limited, Cleveland was sent on loan to Chicago’s United Soccer League affiliate, Tulsa Roughnecks, to gain first-team minutes.
He made his professional debut on May 27, 2017, while on loan with Tulsa, helping the Roughnecks to a 3–1 win over Portland Timbers 2. Cleveland eventually made his MLS debut on August 4, 2018, starting for Chicago Fire in a 2–1 loss to Real Salt Lake, where he recorded eight saves. Across this developmental phase, Cleveland also had a brief stint with Lansing Ignite before being acquired by a new club late in 2019.
Seattle Sounders Breakthrough (2019–2023)
Cleveland was acquired by Seattle Sounders FC on November 26, 2019, beginning the most productive stretch of his MLS career. In Seattle, he was primarily used as the backup goalkeeper behind longtime starter Stefan Frei, often representing the club’s reserve side, Tacoma Defiance, while remaining ready to step up to the first team when needed.
His breakthrough moment arrived in 2021, when a knee injury to Stefan Frei opened the door to regular action. Cleveland took full advantage, playing 16 matches during the season and demonstrating the poise and shot-stopping ability that had made him a reliable second option. On January 19, 2022, he re-signed with the Sounders, reaffirming his role within the organization and continuing to contribute across both Tacoma and Seattle until late 2023.
Austin FC Era (2024–2025)
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 a third season. The move gave Cleveland a fresh opportunity as he entered the prime years of his career with a young, ambitious MLS expansion side. He served as part of Austin FC’s goalkeeping group during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Sporting Kansas City Era (2026–Present)
On December 10, 2025, Sporting Kansas City acquired Cleveland in exchange for $50,000 in general allocation money, bringing him back to the Midwest. The trade reunited him with a club in his home region and gave Kansas City an experienced goalkeeper to bolster its roster heading into a new campaign.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cleveland is recognized as a calm, technically organized goalkeeper who reads the game well and communicates clearly with his back line. His 188-centimeter frame allows him to command his penalty area effectively in the air, while his time under Stefan Frei at Seattle helped him refine the modern demands of distribution and game management. Coaches have valued his professionalism, his preparation in training, and his ability to deliver consistent performances when called upon.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of Cleveland’s career are his professional debut with Tulsa Roughnecks in 2017 and his first MLS start against Real Salt Lake in 2018, when he produced eight saves in a single match. The 2021 season with Seattle Sounders FC stands out as his biggest extended run of first-team minutes, while his acquisition by Austin FC as a free agent in 2023 and subsequent trade to Sporting Kansas City in 2025 underline his continued value across multiple MLS front offices.
Stefan Cleveland Career Wins
As a goalkeeper, Cleveland’s primary statistical contributions have come through clean sheets, saves, and team successes rather than goal-scoring totals. Across his time with Tulsa Roughnecks, Chicago Fire, Seattle Sounders FC, and Austin FC, he has been part of clubs competing for playoff positions in Major League Soccer and postseason opportunities in domestic cups. His clean-sheet performances in 2021 with Seattle remain a highlight of his recorded professional career.
Major League Soccer Highlights
Cleveland has been registered with multiple MLS clubs throughout his career, including Chicago Fire, Seattle Sounders FC, Austin FC, and Sporting Kansas City. His most significant stretch came during the 2021 Seattle Sounders FC season, when he started 16 matches. That run established him as a capable MLS goalkeeper capable of carrying a heavy first-team workload.
Other Wins & Performances
Before turning professional, Cleveland represented the Dayton Dutch Lions in the Premier Development League during the summer of 2015, providing early senior-level experience. He also contributed for Chicago Fire II affiliates and the Lansing Ignite, where match minutes helped shape his development into a reliable MLS reserve.
Stefan Cleveland Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Stefan Daniel Cleveland was raised in Dayton, Ohio, where he attended The Miami Valley School. Public information about his immediate family, including his parents and any siblings, has not been widely documented.
Personal Life
Cleveland pursued a rigorous academic path alongside his athletic career, earning an engineering degree from Dartmouth College in 2016 before beginning graduate studies at the University of Louisville in 2017. Details regarding his marital status, spouse, or children are not publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 season, Cleveland continued his role with Austin FC as part of the club’s goalkeeping unit. He remained prepared to support the first team while competing for selection behind the club’s established starters. His performances throughout the year helped maintain depth at a demanding position over a long MLS campaign.
By the end of 2025, Cleveland’s time with Austin FC had concluded, and on December 10, 2025, he was traded to Sporting Kansas City in exchange for $50,000 in general allocation money. The move positioned him for a fresh chapter closer to his Ohio roots and set the stage for his Sporting Kansas City debut in 2026.