Columbus Crew Week Feature: Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, MLS Next Pro Championship, MLS Cup Championship first two seasons in Pro Soccer

By Sasha Colcheck

Patrick Schulte with Columbus Crew vs. FC Cincinnati in 2023. FCC won 3-2, By Hayden Schiff – https www.flickr.com photos oxguy, CC BY 2.0, https commons.wikimedia.org

 

Patrick Schulte Crew Goalkeeper 1 29 2024 Winter Training Camp.mp3

FROM WIKIPEDIA COMMONS

COLLEGE AT ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY

In 2019, Schulte committed to playing college soccer at Saint Louis University. In three seasons with the Billikens, Schulte went on to make 51 appearances. In his freshman year, he earned an Atlantic 10 Conference All-Rookie team selection. His sophomore year saw Schulte take Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year and be named A-10 first-team All-Conference. In 2021, he was again named A-10 first-team All-Conference, as well as United Soccer Coaches second-team All-Region, and Most Outstanding Player of the A-10 Championship.

While at college, Schulte also played in the USL League Two, making nine regular season appearances for St. Louis Scott Gallagher during the 2021 season.

On January 6, 2022, it was announced that Schulte would leave college early and sign a Generation Adidas contract with Major League Soccer, allowing him to enter the 2022 MLS SuperDraft.

COLUMBUS CREW CAREER

On January 11, 2022, Schulte was selected 12th overall by Columbus Crew in the MLS SuperDraft.

In 2022, Schulte spent time with the Crew’s MLS Next Pro side Columbus Crew 2, winning the inaugural MLS Next Pro Cup and the MLS Next Pro Goalkeeper of the Year award.

In the first game of the 2023 MLS season, first team goalkeeper Eloy Room was left out of the lineup due to visa issues and Schulte earned his first start with the senior team. He didn’t play again until March 26 when Room was left out of the lineup once again, this time due to injury. Schulte went on to win the 2023 MLS Cup with the Crew, starting every remaining MLS regular season and playoff game.