# Max Schneider (footballer)

Max Schneider (born 28 July 2000) is a German professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for USL League One team Union Omaha, on loan from Indy Eleven in the USL Championship.

## Early years

Schneider was born in Cologne, Germany and played for the academy of Bayer Leverkusen before moving to the United States to play college soccer with the Marshall Thundering Herd. He never played for the Leverkusen first team, however, he was called up to the bench for a Europa League match.

### College career

Schneider played soccer for Marshall University from 2019 until 2022. He made a total of 52 appearances and scored 6 goals over three seasons for the team. He was a part of the team that won the 2020 NCAA College Cup and won numerous accolades throughout his career, including Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll, Conference USA All-Freshman Team, 2020 Second Team All-Conference USA, 2020 United Soccer Coaches All-Region Second Team, 2020 NCAA All-Tournament Team, and 2021 Second Team All-Conference USA.

## Club career
### St. Louis City 2

On 7 February 2022, Schneider signed with St. Louis City 2 for the inaugural MLS Next Pro season. On 25 March, Schneider started in the inaugural game for St. Louis City 2 and MLS Next Pro in a 2–0 against Rochester New York FC. Schneider scored his first goal for the club in a 4–3 win against the Tacoma Defiance.

### St. Louis City

On 18 November 2022, St. Louis City SC announced that it has exercised a clause in Schneider's contract to promote him to the first team for the team's inaugural Major League Soccer season in 2023. On 31 December 2023, his contract was declined and he was a free agent.

#### St. Louis City 2 (loan)

On 10 March 2023, Schneider signed for St. Louis City 2 on loan from St. Louis City SC. On 26 March 2023 he debuted in a 1–1 draw against Tacoma Defiance at the CityPark. Schneider joined the St. Louis City SC first team on a short-term loan on 16 June 2023.

### Indy Eleven

Schneider signed with USL Championship club Indy Eleven on 18 January 2024. He made his debut for Indy Eleven on 23 March 2024 in a 1–1 draw against Sacramento Republic. Schneider provided the assist for Augustine Williams' equalizing goal.

#### Union Omaha (loan)

On 18 July 2024, USL League One club Union Omaha announced they had signed Schneider on loan from Indy Eleven. He made his debut for the club on 19 July in a 2–0 loss to Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC in the USL Jägermeister Cup, replacing forward Zeiko Lewis in the 62nd minute. Schneider made his league debut for the club on 27 July, in a 1–0 home loss to Chattanooga Red Wolves SC. Schneider made his first start for Omaha in a 1–0 win over Central Valley Fuego FC on 9 August. Indy Eleven announced they had temporarily recalled Schneider from his loan on 22 August 2024. Schneider returned on loan with Omaha by their next match, a 3–1 home victory over Central Valley Fuego FC on 26 August.
Schneider scored the opening goal in Union Omaha's 3–0 victory over Spokane Velocity FC in the USL League One playoffs final on 17 November 2024, striking in the 3rd minute. His winning goal guaranteed Omaha as the first team in league history to win multiple playoff titles.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played 17 November 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | Cup | Cup | Playoffs | Playoffs | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| St. Louis City 2 | 2022 | MLS Next Pro | 20 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 22 | 3 |
| St. Louis City SC | 2023 | MLS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| St. Louis City 2 (loan) | 2023 | MLS Next Pro | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 26 | 0 |
| Indy Eleven | 2024 | USL C | 7 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Union Omaha (loan) | 2024 | USL 1 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 1 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 64 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 76 | 4 |

## Honours

Marshall Thundering Herd
* Conference USA regular season: 2020
* NCAA National Championship: 2020
* USL League One regular season: 2024
* USL League One playoff: 2024