Matt Polster

Matthew Ryan Polster (born June 8, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defensive midfielder for Major League Soccer club New England Revolution.

Club career

Early career Polster against FC Cincinnati during a 2017 U.S. Open Cup match Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Polster played his youth soccer at Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club. He attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where he played for the SIU Edwardsville Cougars. While with the university, Polster earned many honors including 2014 NSCAA All-West Region First Team selection and 2014 NSCAA Scholar All-America First Team selection. On July 31, 2016, Polster scored his first career MLS goal in a 2–2 draw against the New York Red Bulls. The goal would later be voted as the Chicago Fire goal of the season in at the end of the year. Polster missed the majority of the 2018 Major League Soccer season due to an MCL injury, causing him to only appear in three matches.

Rangers In December 2018, Polster had a trial with Scottish Premiership team Rangers. On January 30, 2019, Polster signed a -year contract with Scottish Premiership club Rangers. Polster made his first appearance in a continental tournament against Gibraltarian club, St Joseph's F.C. in the 2019–20 UEFA Europa League qualifying round.

New England Revolution On July 8, 2020, Polster returned to the United States and signed with the New England Revolution. In order to sign Polster, the Revolution had to trade $100,000 in General Allocation Money to his former club Chicago Fire for his rights. He made his 200th Revolution start on August 30th 2026, recording a goal in a 3-1 victory over the Columbus Crew.

International career In January 2016, Polster received his first call up to the senior United States squad for friendlies against Iceland and Canada. Polster did not appear in any of the two matches. Two years later, he was called into January camp again for a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina, making his debut in the 0–0 draw.

Career statistics