Steve Birnbaum

Steven Mitchell Birnbaum (born January 23, 1991) is an American former professional soccer player who is currently the sporting director for DC Power FC in the USL Super League. He was captain of and played as a center-back for D.C. United for the majority of his professional career. Birnbaum started every game for D.C. United in the 2018 season. In 2018 he played every minute in all 34 regular season games, and led Major League Soccer in total clearances, headed clearances, and aerials won, and in 2019 he again led the league in headed clearances and aerials won.

Early life Birnbaum was born in Newport, California. His hometown is Irvine, California. His mother is Peggy (Schmidt) Birnbaum, who played softball and volleyball at the University of Missouri. Birnbaum now celebrates Christmas as per his mother. Birnbaum also played volleyball and lacrosse in high school.

Youth and college career Birnbaum played in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy for Southern California club Pateadores, of which he was the captain. Birnbaum majored in social welfare. While at college, Birnbaum also appeared for USL PDL club Orange County Blue Star in 2010 and 2011.

In 2012, he won a silver medal with the U.S. team in the 2012 Pan American Maccabi Games in Brazil. He was loaned out to their USL Pro affiliate Richmond Kickers in March 2014, making his professional debut on April 5, 2014, in a 3–1 win over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. He is a crucial player of D.C. United because of his great defensive capabilities, and has played for them since 2014.

Birnbaum scored his first goal for United on February 26, 2015, in a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal leg against Alajuelense. In 2016, Birnbaum was the subject of several rumors regarding a possible transfer to Europe or Israel, with Maccabi Tel Aviv offering $1.5 million and mentioned as one possible destination. He was an MLS All Star in 2016. but stated he would continue to "play until the wheels fall off." Issues with his knee would persist throughout the season, as he suffered another knee injury just six matches into his return. Birnbaum recounted that there were days where he couldn't keep up with his children, and he struggled to get out of bed after games due to the pain in his knees and hips. In July 2024, he announced his retirement from professional soccer at the age of 33. At the time of his retirement, he had made the third-most appearances in D.C. United history, behind Hamid and Jaime Moreno. His final D.C. United appearance was in a mid-season friendly match again Scottish club Celtic on July 20, where he made a cameo appearance and was substituted off after 5 seconds as planned, before being honored by the club in a half-time ceremony. Members of the D.C. United team also wore white No. 15 T-shirts in honor of Birnbaum prior to the start of the match.

International career Birnbaum played for the United States U18 and United States U20 national teams in 2008.

Birnbaum debuted for the United States men's national soccer team on January 28, 2015. His first goal for the USMNT was a 90th-minute winner versus Iceland on January 31, 2016, a game in which he had already provided an equalizing assist to Michael Orozco to make it 2-2. He also played for the team in the 2016 Copa América Centenario and World Cup Qualifiers.

Administrative career In January 2025, Birnbaum was named the first-ever sporting director for USL Super League club DC Power FC.

Accolades Birnbaum was inducted into the Greater Washington Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.

Personal life Birnbaum married his fiancé, Jeanne, on December 15, 2018, in Virginia. They live in Bethesda. He and Jeanne had a daughter together on October 16, 2019 and a son on Dec 1st, 2020. They have 2 dogs, a frenchie named Moose and a long-haired german shepherd named Mila. Mila is 1 year older.

Career statistics

College

Club

Club Season League National cup Playoffs Continental Total League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals D.C. United 2014 MLS 21 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 25 0 2015 22 2 1 0 3 0 5 1 31 3 2016 26 3 - 1 0 2 0 29 3 2017 26 0 - -- 26 020183422010 -36220193412010 -3712020100 - - -1002021212 - - -2122022322 - - -3222023221 - - -221202460 - - -60Total 254 13 6 0 8 0 8 1 276 14 Richmond Kickers (loan) 2014 USL 1 0 - - - 1 0 Career totals 255 13 6 0 8 0 8 1 277 14

International