# Ben Sweat

Benjamin Sweat (born September 4, 1991) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a left-back.

## Career
### Youth and college

Sweat played soccer at Palm Harbor University High School and then went on to play college soccer at the University of South Florida between 2010 and 2013. Sweat still holds the record for most appearances in matches at South Florida. While at college, Sweat also appeared for USL PDL clubs VSI Tampa Bay and Reading United AC.

### Professional

Sweat has earned experience while training with Swedish top flight club Djurgårdens IF Fotboll (2012 & 2013 summer). He also spent a summer in Czech Republic with SK Sigma Olomouc (2013 summer).
On January 16, 2014, Sweat was drafted in the first round (14th overall) of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft by Columbus Crew.
Sweat was loaned out to Columbus Crew's USL Pro affiliate club Dayton Dutch Lions in May 2014 for a few matches. Sweat was given his first professional start on June 25, 2014, in the 5th round of the US Open Cup against Chicago Fire. He also played a half against English Premier league side Crystal Palace F.C. on July 23, 2014.
After being with the first team inconsistently, Columbus Crew SC announced on February 9, 2015, that they had waived Sweat.
After being waived by Columbus, Sweat signed with NASL club Tampa Bay Rowdies on March 2, 2015. He spent the 2015 and 2016 seasons with Tampa Bay, making 33 regular season appearances for the club before leaving at the conclusion of the 2016 season.
Sweat trialed with New York City FC during their 2017 pre-season, and was signed by the club on February 23, 2017.
He signed a multi-year contract extension with New York City FC at the end of the 2017 season after being labeled one of the top fullbacks in the league that season.
On November 19, 2019, Sweat was selected by Inter Miami in the 2019 MLS Expansion Draft.
On December 13, 2020, Sweat was traded to Austin FC ahead of their inaugural season. Following the 2021 season, Sweat's contract option was declined by Austin.
On April 5, 2023, Sporting Kansas City announced that Ben Sweat was being waived. This allows Sweat to become a free agent and sign freely with any club in MLS.
On April 18, 2023, the New England Revolution announced they had signed Sweat through the 2023 season, with an option for 2024. The Revolution announced on December 1, 2023, that they would not exercise Sweat's 2024 option.
On March 21, 2024, Sweat announced his retirement from professional soccer.

### International

Sweat was called up for the USMNT for the first time in October 2018. He played in 2 games, against Colombia and Peru.

### Career statistics

    As of November 21, 2020
| Club | Season | League | League | League | Playoffs | Playoffs | Cup | Cup | Continental | Continental | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| VSI Tampa Flames | 2012 | PDL | 13 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 13 | 0 |
| Reading United | 2013 | PDL | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | – | 13 | 1 |
| Columbus Crew | 2014 | MLS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 1 | 0 |
| Dayton Dutch Lions (loan) | 2014 | USL Pro | 7 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | – | – | 7 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Rowdies | 2015 | NASL | 26 | 0 | – | – | 1 | 0 | – | – | 27 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Rowdies | 2016 | NASL | 7 | 0 | – | – | 2 | 0 | – | – | 9 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Rowdies | Total | Total | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 |
| New York City FC | 2017 | MLS | 26 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 29 | 1 |
| New York City FC | 2018 | MLS | 28 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 32 | 0 |
| New York City FC | 2019 | MLS | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 20 | 0 |
| New York City FC | Total | Total | 72 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 81 | 1 |
| Inter Miami | 2020 | MLS | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 23 | 0 |
| Austin FC | 2021 | MLS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 2 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 157 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 176 | 2 |
* ↑ Appearances in the PDL Playoffs and MLS Cup Playoffs