Crew goalkeeper Kenny Schoeni today announced his retirement from professional soccer after a three-and-a-half seasons, much of which was spent with the Crew. He has accepted a position in investment banking in New York City and embarks on his new career this week.
“I will always cherish the friendships I made and experiences I had through soccer and in my time with the Columbus Crew,” Schoeni said. I want to thank all of my family, coaches and teammates throughout the years for their support, which enabled me to have a successful and rewarding soccer career. I wish everyone in the Crew Family much success in the future.”
A Cincinnati native, Schoeni (pronounced shay-KNEE) began his MLS career in 2007, following a collegiate career at Vanderbilt and UC Irvine, serving as a MLS pool goalkeeper providing cover for teams with emergency goalkeeper needs. He spent several stints training with the Crew that season and started two games in goal for the Crew Reserve squad, in which he posted a 1-1-0 record.
After his performance with the club in 2007, the Crew signed Schoeni to a developmental contract on March 17, 2008 and served as the Crew’s third-string goalkeeper during its 2008 MLS Cup championship season. Schoeni made five appearances, four of them starts, in the 2008 MLS Reserve Division, posting a 0.80 goals-against average and two shutouts for the Black & Gold. He did not appear in a regular-season match during that season and was waived prior to the 2009 season. He then signed and played the entire 2009 USL First Division season with Miami FC, where he compiled a 1-4-2 record in seven appearances, with a 1.57 goals-against-average and one shutout.
Following the conclusion of the USL season, the Crew then re-signed Schoeni on Sept. 18, 2009 to fill the roster spot vacated by Andy Gruenebaum’s placement on the season-ending injured reserve list. Schoeni retires having made one career MLS first-team appearance – a starting assignment in the Crew’s 1-0 loss to New England on Oct. 25, 2009.
“Kenny has been a true professional and a great presence on our team during his time here and we wish him nothing but the best as he moves on to the next chapter in his life,” said Crew technical director Brian Bliss. “He is a bright young man whose considerable talents off the field will serve him well in the business world.”
Simultaneously, Gruenebaum has been activated from the Disabled List and will be available on Thursday.
Founded by American sports pioneer Lamar Hunt, the Columbus Crew is Ohio's Major League Soccer club, anchoring a diverse sports and entertainment enterprise. One of the league's Charter Members, it won its first MLS Cup Championship in 2008 and has also won the 2002 U.S. Open Cup championship and MLS Supporters’ Shield titles in 2004, 2008 and 2009. It is currently in its 15th season overall and 12th in first-of-its-kind Columbus Crew Stadium.
#25 – Kenny Schoeni
Pronunciation: SHAY-knee
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 185
Born: January 4, 1984 (Cincinnati, OH)
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Citizenship: United States
2009 Team: Columbus Crew (MLS)/Miami FC (USL)
How Acquired: Signed on Sept. 18, 2009
Professional Experience: Columbus Crew, MLS (2008, 2009-10); Miami FC, USL (2009); MLS pool goalkeeper, MLS (2007)
TRANSACTION:
Columbus Crew (MLS) – GK Kenny Schoeni retired. Activated GK Andy Gruenebaum from DL.
