FC Cincinnati 2 have signed defender Brian Schaefer to an MLS NEXT Pro contract, the club announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Schaefer was selected by FC Cincinnati in the first round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft (no. 27 overall) from the University of South Florida. Schaefer played for the Bulls from 2020-2023, making 44 starts in 53 total appearances.
The Atlantic Beach, Florida native scored five goals and tallied three assists while at South Florida and was an American Athletic Conference All-Rookie selection in 2020. In 2022, Schaefer was named AAC Second-Team All-Conference after making 16 starts over 17 matches and registering two goals and two assists.
Prior to his college career with the Bulls, Schaefer was a standout midfielder at Fletcher High School, where he scored 19 goals and provided 26 assists during his senior season. Schaefer led Fletcher to the 1-6A regional semifinal in 2020 and was a two-time selection to the All-First Coast team.
Schaefer was part of FC Cincinnati’s traveling party for preseason training in Clearwater, Florida and played 45 minutes in a friendly against Austin FC on January 26. Schaefer and FC Cincinnati 2 open the MLS NEXT Pro season on March 17 at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium.
TRANSACTION: FC Cincinnati 2 sign Brian Schaefer to an MLS NEXT Pro contract on February 15, 2024.
BRIAN SCHAEFER
Position: Defender
Hometown: Atlantic Beach, Florida
Nationality: American
Previous Club: University of South Florida
FC Cincinnati 2 Roster (MLS NEXT Pro contracted players only)
Goalkeepers: Hunter Morse
Defenders: Nico Benalcazar, Amir Daley, Juan Machado, Brian Schaefer
Midfielders: Jesus Castellano, Alejandro Guido, Yair Ramos, Yeiner Valoyes
Forwards: Ben Stitz, Moises Tablante
