Josh Cohen Biography: Soccer Career, Age, Height, Stats, Teams, Maccabi Haifa and Chicago Fire
Josh Cohen is an American professional soccer goalkeeper known for his remarkable rise from college soccer to the UEFA Champions League. He built his reputation through persistence, strong performances, and consistent goalkeeping.
Born in Mountain View, California, Cohen developed his career outside Major League Soccer before making his MLS breakthrough. His journey later took him to Israel, where he became one of the league’s standout goalkeepers.
Cohen currently plays for Chicago Fire FC in Major League Soccer. Chicago signed him as a free agent in December 2025. His contract runs through June 2027 and includes a club option for the 2027–28 season.
Who Is Josh Cohen?
Josh Cohen is an American soccer goalkeeper born on August 18, 1992. He grew up in Mountain View, California, and developed through the American youth soccer system.
Cohen stands around 6 feet 1 inch tall and plays primarily as a goalkeeper. He also possesses left-footed distribution, which adds another dimension to his game.
His career stands out because he did not follow a conventional route into MLS.
Instead, Cohen spent several seasons developing in lower American leagues. He eventually earned an opportunity with Maccabi Haifa in Israel.
That move transformed his career.
Josh Cohen Age and Early Life
Josh Cohen was born in Mountain View, California, United States.
As a young player, he played for Santa Clara Sporting Club. He also spent time with Brazilian club Grêmio during his youth development.
Cohen later returned to California and continued developing with Santa Clara Sporting Club.
His early experiences helped him build a foundation as a goalkeeper. However, his professional breakthrough came after college.
Josh Cohen College Career
Cohen attended the University of California, San Diego, where he played college soccer for the UC San Diego Tritons.
He played four seasons between 2010 and 2013. During that period, he established himself as one of the program’s strongest goalkeepers.
Cohen started 52 games during his college career according to Atlanta United’s official profile.
His performances earned national recognition.
In 2012, Cohen recorded outstanding numbers for UC San Diego. He led NCAA Division II in goals-against average and save percentage that season.
He also earned Daktronics All-America Second Team honors.
The following year brought another major achievement. Cohen earned NSCAA All-America First Team recognition.
Therefore, his college career provided an important platform for his professional ambitions.
Josh Cohen’s Education
Cohen’s story also stands out away from the soccer field.
He graduated from UC San Diego after studying bioengineering and computer science.
His academic background demonstrates another side of his career. Cohen balanced demanding studies with competitive college soccer.
That combination helped shape his development before professional soccer became his main focus.
Josh Cohen Professional Soccer Career
After college, Cohen faced a difficult path toward professional soccer.
He joined the Burlingame Dragons in 2015. The club competed in the USL Premier Development League.
Cohen made 11 appearances during his first professional season. He then moved to Orange County Blues.
From 2015 to 2016, he made 16 appearances for Orange County.
Next, Cohen joined Phoenix Rising FC in 2017. He started 28 games and gained valuable experience in the USL.
His performances eventually earned him a move to Sacramento Republic FC.
Josh Cohen at Sacramento Republic
Cohen joined Sacramento Republic FC in 2018.
The move represented an important stage in his development. He became Sacramento’s starting goalkeeper and played every minute of the 2018 regular season.
Cohen started all 34 regular-season games that year.
He recorded 12 clean sheets while conceding 32 goals. His performances earned him selection to the USL All-League Second Team.
He also became a finalist for the USL Goalkeeper of the Year award.
Cohen returned to Sacramento for part of the 2019 season.
He made 16 appearances and conceded only 17 goals before moving abroad.
That transfer became the biggest turning point of his career.
Josh Cohen at Maccabi Haifa
In July 2019, Maccabi Haifa reached an agreement with Sacramento Republic for Cohen’s transfer.
Cohen joined the Israeli Premier League club before the 2019–20 campaign.
He quickly established himself as the club’s starting goalkeeper.
During his first league campaign, Cohen recorded 12 clean sheets in 21 appearances and conceded only 15 goals during that period.
His performances attracted increasing attention across Israeli soccer.
2020–21 Breakthrough Season
The 2020–21 campaign became the defining season of Cohen’s career.
He helped Maccabi Haifa win the Israeli Premier League title.
The championship marked the club’s first league title in a decade.
Cohen also received the Israeli Premier League Player of the Season award.
He recorded 13 clean sheets in 22 appearances while conceding only 12 goals during that campaign.
As a result, Cohen became one of the most recognized American goalkeepers playing overseas.
Josh Cohen’s Israeli League Success
Cohen continued his excellent form during the 2021–22 season.
Maccabi Haifa successfully defended its league title. Cohen played a significant role throughout the campaign.
He made 26 appearances and recorded 12 clean sheets.
The club also secured another opportunity to compete in UEFA Champions League qualifying.
Cohen started all six qualifying matches as Maccabi Haifa defeated Olympiacos, Apollon Limassol, and Red Star Belgrade.
That run took the club into the Champions League group stage.
Josh Cohen and the UEFA Champions League
Cohen reached another career milestone during the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League.
Maccabi Haifa faced some of Europe’s biggest clubs in the group stage.
The group included Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, giving Cohen an opportunity to face world-class attackers.
Maccabi Haifa defeated Juventus 2–0 on October 11, 2022.
Cohen made five saves during that historic clean-sheet victory.
He also faced Paris Saint-Germain during the competition.
That match placed Cohen on the same pitch as Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé.
His Champions League appearances became a major highlight of his career.
Josh Cohen’s Third Israeli Championship
Maccabi Haifa continued its domestic dominance during the 2022–23 season.
The club won its third consecutive Israeli Premier League title.
Cohen made 18 league starts during his final season with the club. He recorded seven clean sheets.
Across his Maccabi Haifa career, he made 161 appearances in all competitions.
He helped the club win three consecutive league championships. He also contributed to the club’s European success.
Josh Cohen and Israeli Citizenship
Cohen has Jewish heritage and later obtained Israeli citizenship.
He received Israeli temporary resident status in December 2019.
He subsequently acquired Israeli citizenship in February 2021 under Israel’s Law of Return.
His Israeli status also connected him more closely with the country’s soccer environment.
Josh Cohen Returns to Major League Soccer
After four successful seasons with Maccabi Haifa, Cohen returned to the United States.
Atlanta United signed Cohen as a free agent in December 2023.
The agreement initially covered the 2024 and 2025 seasons, with an option for 2026.
His return represented another major chapter in his career.
Cohen made three MLS appearances for Atlanta United during the 2024 season.
He also played for Atlanta United 2, gaining additional competitive minutes.
Atlanta’s official profile records seven appearances for Atlanta United 2.
Josh Cohen Joins Chicago Fire
In December 2025, Chicago Fire FC signed Josh Cohen as a free agent.
The club announced that Cohen signed through June 2027. The agreement also includes an option for the 2027–28 season.
Chicago described his experience as an addition to its goalkeeper group.
Cohen entered the 2026 MLS season alongside goalkeepers including Chris Brady and Jeffrey Gal.
The club’s official roster lists Cohen as goalkeeper No. 44.
Josh Cohen 2026 Season
As of the latest available 2026 MLS records, Cohen remains with Chicago Fire FC.
He has primarily served as a reserve goalkeeper behind Chris Brady.
Match records show Cohen appeared on Chicago’s matchday squad during the 2026 MLS season. However, he had not started an MLS match in the available records.
His role therefore focuses on depth, competition, and experience within Chicago’s goalkeeper group.
Josh Cohen Playing Style
Cohen’s career highlights several qualities that helped him succeed.
First, he developed a reputation for strong shot-stopping ability.
His college statistics already showed excellent save percentages. Later, his performances with Maccabi Haifa demonstrated his ability to handle high-pressure matches.
Second, Cohen brings extensive experience.
He has played in American professional leagues, the Israeli Premier League, and UEFA competitions.
Third, his left-footed ability provides useful options when building play from the back.
His experience against elite European attackers also strengthened his reputation as a dependable goalkeeper.
Josh Cohen Career Statistics
Cohen’s career includes several notable statistical milestones.
At UC San Diego, he made 52 starts during his college career.
At Sacramento Republic, he made 51 appearances from 2018 to 2019.
At Maccabi Haifa, he made 161 appearances across all competitions.
He also played three MLS matches for Atlanta United during the 2024 season.
His career therefore spans multiple levels and countries.
Josh Cohen Awards and Achievements
Cohen has collected several important individual and team honors.
His major achievements include:
- 2020–21 Israeli Premier League Player of the Season
- Three consecutive Israeli Premier League titles
- 2021 Israeli Super Cup
- 2022 USL All-League Second Team
- USL Goalkeeper of the Year finalist
- UEFA Champions League group-stage appearances
- Victory over Juventus in the 2022 Champions League
- NCAA Division II All-America honors
These achievements reflect the unusual progression of Cohen’s professional career.
What Makes Josh Cohen’s Soccer Career Unique?
Josh Cohen’s career demonstrates how professional players can develop through unconventional routes.
He did not immediately enter MLS after college.
Instead, he built his reputation through the USL and earned a move to Israel.
At Maccabi Haifa, he transformed from an overlooked American goalkeeper into an Israeli Footballer of the Year.
Later, he returned to MLS with Atlanta United before joining Chicago Fire.
His journey therefore combines college soccer, USL development, international football, Champions League competition, and MLS experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Josh Cohen
How old is Josh Cohen?
Josh Cohen was born on August 18, 1992. He is 34 years old as of September 2026.
What position does Josh Cohen play?
Josh Cohen plays as a goalkeeper.
Which team does Josh Cohen play for?
Cohen currently plays for Chicago Fire FC in Major League Soccer.
Where was Josh Cohen born?
Josh Cohen was born in Mountain View, California, United States.
How tall is Josh Cohen?
Cohen stands approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall.
Did Josh Cohen play in the UEFA Champions League?
Yes. Cohen played for Maccabi Haifa during the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League group stage.
Did Josh Cohen win the Israeli Premier League?
Yes. Cohen won the Israeli Premier League three consecutive times with Maccabi Haifa.
Did Josh Cohen play against Juventus?
Yes. Cohen started Maccabi Haifa’s Champions League match against Juventus in October 2022.
Maccabi Haifa won that match 2–0, while Cohen kept a clean sheet.
Final Thoughts on Josh Cohen
Josh Cohen has built an impressive soccer career through persistence and international experience.
His journey began in California before progressing through college soccer and the USL.
However, his move to Maccabi Haifa changed his professional trajectory.
He became an Israeli league champion and earned the league’s Player of the Season award.
He then competed in the UEFA Champions League against some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
After returning to MLS, Cohen joined Atlanta United and later moved to Chicago Fire.
Today, his career remains a notable example of an American goalkeeper who developed outside the traditional MLS pathway.
His story continues to attract interest from fans searching for Josh Cohen soccer biography, Josh Cohen goalkeeper, Josh Cohen Chicago Fire, Josh Cohen Maccabi Haifa, Josh Cohen stats, Josh Cohen age, Josh Cohen height, and Josh Cohen career.
