Mitchell A. Hildebrandt (born November 12, 1988) is an American former professional soccer goalkeeper. He is currently a coach for the Michigan Wolves youth academy.
![]() Hildebrandt after an FC Cincinnati match in 2017 | |||
Personal information | |||
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Full name | Mitchell A. Hildebrandt | ||
Date of birth | (1988-11-12) November 12, 1988 (age 34) | ||
Place of birth | Livonia, Michigan, United States | ||
Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
Youth career | |||
2004–2007 | Michigan Wolves | ||
College career | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2008–2011 | Oakland Golden Grizzlies | 53 | (0) |
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2008–2009 | Kalamazoo Outrage | 13 | (0) |
2010–2011 | Michigan Bucks | 32 | (0) |
2012–2015 | Minnesota United FC | 15 | (0) |
2016–2017 | FC Cincinnati | 61 | (0) |
2018 | Atlanta United | 0 | (0) |
2018 | → Atlanta United 2 (loan) | 8 | (0) |
2020 | Sporting Kansas City II | 0 | (0) |
Teams managed | |||
2020 | Sporting Kansas City II (goalkeeping) | ||
2021– | Michigan Wolves | ||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 25, 2022 |
Hildebrandt played his entire college career at Oakland University. He redshirted in 2007. In his first season as a starter for Oakland in 2009, Hildebrandt finished with seven clean sheets and a 0.73 goals against average and was named to the All-Summit League first team. He had another solid year in 2010, finishing with a 1.24 goals against average and 0.77 save percentage and was again named to the All-Summit League first team. Hildebrandt went on to be named to the All-Summit League second team in his senior season in 2011 and finished his career with a total of 249 saves and 19 clean sheets.[1]
During his time in college, Hildebrandt also spent time in the USL Premier Development League with Kalamazoo Outrage[2][3] and Michigan Bucks.[4][5]
On April 3, 2012, Hildebrandt signed a professional contract with Minnesota Stars FC (renamed Minnesota United FC in 2013) of the North American Soccer League.[6][7] He made his professional debut on May 25, 2012, recording up a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw with the Atlanta Silverbacks.[8]
In 2016, Hildebrandt moved to FC Cincinnati in the United Soccer League. Fans of Cincinnati would frequently chant "Mitch Says No" when Hildebrandt made a save. Hildebrandt agreed to a multi-year contract with Cincinnati following the 2016 season.[9] He received national attention for his performance in the 2017 U.S. Open Cup semi-final against Chicago Fire, making three saves in the deciding penalty shootout.[10]
Hildebrandt played for FC Cincinnati for two seasons before moving up to Major League Soccer, signing with Atlanta United FC on December 1, 2017.[11] As of June 27, 2018, Hildebrandt has yet to come off the bench for Atlanta's first team, but he has made two appearances for Atlanta United 2 in the USL.
Hildebrandt was released by Atlanta at the end of its 2018 season.[12]
On February 23, 2019, Hildebrandt announced via his social media accounts that he was retiring from professional soccer. He then joined Chicago Fire FC as a video scout.
In January 2020, Hildebrandt was appointed goalkeeping coach for Sporting Kansas City II of the USL Championship.[13] Hildebrant came out of retirement to join the Sporting Kansas City II playing roster on September 16, 2020, becoming the first ever player-coach for the club.[14]
Following the conclusion of the 2020 USL Championship season, Hildebrandt returned to Michigan to coach with the Michigan Wolves SC academy where he had played as a youth.[15]
USL Championship Goalkeeper of the Year | |
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Summit League Men's Soccer Player of the Year | |
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Player of the Year (1984–2002) | |
Offensive Player of the Year (2003–) |
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Defensive Player of the Year (2003–) | |
Goalkeeper of the Year (2012–) |