Steven Lenhart

Steven Lenhart (born August 28, 1986) is an American former soccer player who played most of his career for the Columbus Crew and San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer (MLS). He was later an assistant coach with the Westmont Warriors in NCAA Division II.^[1] Since 2025, Lenhart has been an advisor to Seattle Sounders FC.

Career

College and amateur

Lenhart grew up in Yorba Linda, California, and attended Esperanza High School. He attended Point Loma Nazarene University for one year before transferring to Azusa Pacific University. He tallied 38 goals and 12 assists in his 61 career collegiate games for Azusa Pacific, and was named a NAIA All-American in 2007. He was also named to the NAIA All-Tournament Team in 2006 and 2007, was honored as the NAIA Tournament's Outstanding Offensive Player in 2006^[2] and 2007, and was MVP of the 2007 NAIA Tournament while helping lead Azusa Pacific to the 2007 NAIA national title over Concordia University, Irvine.^[3] During his college years, Lenhart also played for the Southern California Seahorses in the USL Premier Development League.^{[citation needed]}

Professional

Lenhart was selected by the Columbus Crew as the 48th overall selection in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. He made his professional debut on May 31, 2008, as a second-half substitute against Chivas USA, and scored his first goal on June 21, 2008, against Los Angeles Galaxy.^[4] His rookie season ended with five goals across 12 appearances in the regular season and playoffs, with a dramatic tying goal in stoppage time of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal versus the Kansas City Wizards as well as winning MLS Cup.^[5] Head coach Sigi Schmid subbed Lenhart into the last minutes of the final to show his appreciation for the contribution to the Crew's winning season.^[4]

Lenhart scored three goals in the 2009–10 CONCACAF Champions League, scoring his first goal in a 2–0 victory against the Puerto Rico Islanders, and claiming the other two in a come-from-behind 2–2 draw against Mexican side Toluca.^{[citation needed]}

Lenhart netted his first goal of the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League in the 79' minute in a 3–0 win over Joe Public F.C.^{[citation needed]}

Lenhart scored 11 goals across all competitions for Columbus in the 2010 season.^{[citation needed]}

On January 13, 2011, Lenhart was traded to the San Jose Earthquakes along with allocation money in exchange for the 15th pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.^[6] On June 11, He scored his first hat trick of his professional career.^[7] He signed a new contract with San Jose on November 30, 2011.^[8] His cry of "Goonies never say die!" led to the Earthquakes adopting the rally cry (in reference to the Goonies film) the next year.^[9]

On April 28, 2012, Lenhart would score both San Jose goals in a 2–1 victory against the Philadelphia Union, with the game winning goal coming in the third minute of second half stoppage time.^[10] He scored another late goal, this time in the 85th minute off a header in a U.S. Open Cup game versus Minnesota Stars FC, which proved to be the game winner in a 1–0 victory in June.^[11] In July, Lenhart scored a last-minute equalizer for 10-man San Jose against the Chicago Fire, his first game back since a four-game absence due to injury.^[12]

After a brief stint with Japanese side FC Imabari, Lenhart announced his retirement from the game on May 2, 2017, due to ongoing symptoms from concussions.^[13]

"He’s one of those guys that if you’re playing against him you hate it, but if he’s on your team then you love the guy. He’s always battling and he really likes getting reactions out of people, like if someone fouls him he’ll try to hold their hand to piss them off, and that stuff really gets to people,"

— –Chris Wondolowski, former teammate^[14]

Coaching career

Lenhart joined Seattle Sounders FC at the beginning of the 2025 season as a mental health advisor. He was suspended for five Leagues Cup matches after a brawl during the 2025 final against Inter Miami CF.^[15]

Style of play

Being typically deployed as a target man, Lenhart was a hard-working forward who was known for his physical play and last second heroics,^[16][7] but was criticized for his dirtiness and needless aggression at times.^[16][17][18] Sam Stejskal of The Athletic described Lenhart's style of play as "rough and sometimes flagrantly physical"' and that Lenhart "came to be viewed around the league as an unabashed villain."^[19] Former Crew teammate Jason Garey praised his physicality, calling him "fearless and reckless, he's willing to put his body on the line at all times. It's great playing with him."^[4][20]

Personal life

In 2020, Lenhart participated in World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji.^[21][22] He has a sister, Jennifer, who married to Scottish football player Adam Moffat in 2009.^[23]

Career statistics

Honors

Columbus Crew

• Major League Soccer MLS Cup (1): 2008
• Major League Soccer Supporter's Shield (2): 2008, 2009

San Jose Earthquakes

• Major League Soccer Supporter's Shield: 2012

References

1. ^ "Steven Lenhart". athletics.westmont.edu. August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
2. ^ "Steven Lenhart - Men's Soccer". Azusa Pacific University Athletics. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
3. ^ Green, Jordan (2020-12-19). "APU legends: Steven Lenhart". ZU Media. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
4. ^ Merz, Craig (Jan 23, 2010). "Lenhart becoming Crew's 'Braveheart'". mlssoccer. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
5. ^ Cath, David (September 27, 2018). "Lucky No. 13 | A look at returnees' 2008 performances ahead of Saturday's honoring". ColumbusCrew.com. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
6. ^ "San Jose acquires Lenhart from Columbus". Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
7. ^ Lepper, Geoff (June 12, 2011). "Career night gives personal release to Lenhart | San Jose Earthquakes". sjearthquakes. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
8. ^ "Quakes trade for Salinas, ink Lenhart extension". MLS. November 30, 2011. Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
9. ^ Lepper, Geoff (May 24, 2012). "Lenhart: "Goonies never say die!"". sjearthquakes. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
10. ^ "Recap: Late Lenhart goal leads Quakes past Union". sjearthquakes. Apr 28, 2012. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
11. ^ "USOC: Lenhart goal sends Quakes past Stars FC". sjearthquakes. September 6, 2012. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
12. ^ Lepper, Geoff (July 29, 2012). "Lenhart's "fairy tale" goal fits the script". sjearthquakes. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
13. ^ "【クラブ情報】スティーブン・レンハート選手 現役引退のお知らせ". FC Imbari. May 2, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
14. ^ "Steven Lenhart". americansoccernow.com
15. ^ Evans, Jayda (September 5, 2025). "Miami players, Sounders staffer suspended for role in brawl after Leagues Cup final". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
16. ^ "Crew Cuts: Steven Lenhart". Columbus Monthly. April 7, 2010. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
17. ^ Wahl, Grant (2013-02-27). "Grant Wahl: MLS preseason player survey, Part II". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
18. ^ Dure, Beau (Oct 30, 2012). "Earthquakes are best in MLS, but critics question style". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
19. ^ Stejskal, Sam (June 24, 2019). "Bash Brother revisited: How Steven Lenhart transformed from MLS supervillain to Zenned-out healer". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
20. ^ Galarcep, Ives (2012-04-30). "A look at MLS bad boy Steven Lenhart". sbisoccer.com. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
21. ^ Seimas, Jim (September 22, 2020). "Local team reflects on Eco-Challenge Fiji thrills, chills and spill". SantaCruzSentinel.com. Santa Cruz Sentinel. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
22. ^ Jones, J. Sam (September 7, 2020). "For ex-MLS striker Steven Lenhart, the "World's Toughest Race" is just latest part of his existential journey". mlssoccer. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
23. ^ Merz, Craig (September 7, 2020). "Moffat married Jennifer Lenhart in a ceremony at the Lenhart home in Yorba Linda, Calif., in December.". Columbus Crew. Retrieved 2024-08-24.