Oliver Semmle (born 28 March 1998) is a German professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer.

Oliver Semmle
Personal information
Date of birth (1998-03-28) 28 March 1998 (age 26)
Place of birth Au am Rhein, Germany
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
Philadelphia Union
Number 1
Youth career
0000–2012 FC Rastatt 04
2012–2018 Karlsruher SC
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018 Barton Cougars 7 (0)
2019 Monroe Mustangs 12 (0)
2020–2022 Marshall Thundering Herd 54 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2018 Karlsruher SC II 24 (0)
2018 Karlsruher SC 0 (0)
2023 Louisville City 31 (0)
2024– Philadelphia Union 8 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14 April 2024

Career edit

Youth and college edit

Semmle played as part of the Karlsruher SC academy from 2012, appearing for the club's second team in the Oberliga Baden-Württemberg and making a single senior appearance in the Baden Cup in 2018.[2][1]

In 2018, Semmle moved to the United States to play college soccer at Barton Community College where he made seven appearances for the Cougars.[3] In 2019, he transferred to Monroe College, making 12 appearances and only conceding two goals during the entire season with the Mustangs, helping lead Monroe to its first ever NJCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship.[4] Semmle again transferred colleges in 2020, joining Marshall University. In his junior season, Semmle played all but 45-minutes of the Thundering Herd's national title campaign, leading the NCAA with eleven shutouts while holding a 0.380 goals against average. In his three seasons at Marshall, Semmle was named Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Year, the Conference USA Golden Glove Award, First-Team All-Conference USA, 2021 United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Third Team and 2021 Second Team All-Conference USA.[5]

Professional edit

On 21 December 2022, Semmle was selected 41st overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by Colorado Rapids.[6][7][8] However, he went unsigned by the club.

On 15 February 2023, Semmle signed with USL Championship side Louisville City ahead of their upcoming season.[9] He made his debut for Louisville on 18 March 2023, starting in a 1–0 against Monterey Bay.[10][11] Semmle tied for the most shutouts (13) in the 2023 season (12 shutouts in regular season and 1 shutout in playoffs).[12]

On 31 January 2024, Semmle was acquired by the Philadelphia Union via a transfer with Louisville City after the Union acquired Semmle's college protection rights from Colorado Rapids.[13]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Oliver Semmle at WorldFootball.net
  2. ^ "MLS-Team draftet Ex-Pipinsried-Kicker: Grassow wechselt zu US-Erstligist". www.merkur.de. 22 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Oliver Semmle". Barton Community College Athletics.
  4. ^ "Oliver Semmle - Men's Soccer". Monroe College Athletics.
  5. ^ "Oliver Semmle - Men's Soccer". Marshall University Athletics.
  6. ^ Rapids, Colorado. "Colorado Rapids select Moise Bombito and Oliver Semmle in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas". Colorado Rapids.
  7. ^ "Oliver Semmle '19 Selected by Colorado Rapids in 2023 MLS SuperDraft". Monroe College Athletics. 30 December 2022.
  8. ^ "Colorado Rapids select defender Moise Bombito, goalkeeper Oliver Semmle in 2023 MLS SuperDraft". 22 December 2022.
  9. ^ USLChampionship com Staff (15 February 2023). "LouCity signs goalkeeper Oliver Semmle". USL Championship.
  10. ^ "Team News: Rookie goalkeeper Semmle to debut at Monterey Bay FC".
  11. ^ "Match Center | USLChampionship.com". www.uslchampionship.com.
  12. ^ "LouCity transfers goalkeeper Oliver Semmle to Philadelphia Union". 31 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Philadelphia Union Sign Goalkeeper Oliver Semmle".

External links edit