24 Facts About Steve Birnbaum

Steven Mitchell Birnbaum was born on January 23,1991 and is an American former professional soccer player who is currently the sporting director for DC Power FC in the USL Super League.

Steve Birnbaum was captain of and played as a center-back for DC United for the majority of his professional career.

Steve Birnbaum's mother is Peggy Birnbaum, who played softball and volleyball at the University of Missouri.

Steve Birnbaum completed high school early at Northwood High School at age 17.

Steve Birnbaum played in the US Soccer Development Academy for Southern California club Pateadores, of which he was the captain.

Steve Birnbaum played for the US U-18 and US U-20 national teams in tournaments in Portugal and Mexico in 2008.

Steve Birnbaum played 72 games over five years of college soccer on scholarship at the University of California, Berkeley for the California Golden Bears men's soccer team, between 2009 and 2013, though redshirted the 2012 season, and was team captain.

Steve Birnbaum was 2010 and 2011 Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention, 2011 and 2013 All-Pac-12 first team, 2011 Jewish Sports Review first-team All-American, a 2013 Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy semifinalist, an National Soccer Coaches Association of America 2013 First Team All-American, NSCAA 2013 First Team All-Far-West Team, and a finalist for the Soccer News Net College Boot Player of the Year Award.

Steve Birnbaum was selected in the first round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft on January 14,2014, by DC United.

Steve Birnbaum is a crucial player of DC United because of his great defensive capabilities, and has played for them since 2014.

Steve Birnbaum was named a finalist for the 2014 MLS Rookie of the Year, but lost to Tesho Akindele.

Steve Birnbaum scored his first goal for United on February 26,2015, in a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal leg against Alajuelense.

In 2016, Steve Birnbaum was the subject of several rumors regarding a possible transfer to Europe or Israel, with Maccabi Tel Aviv offering $1.5 million and mentioned as one possible destination.

Steve Birnbaum started every game for DC United in the 2018 season.

Steve Birnbaum led the league in total clearances, headed clearances, and aerials won, and came in 6th in the voting for the MLS Defender of the Year Award.

In 2019, Steve Birnbaum again started every game for DC United.

Steve Birnbaum recounted that there were days where he couldn't keep up with his children, and he struggled to get out of bed after games due to the pain in his knees and hips.

Steve Birnbaum played for the United States U18 and United States U20 national teams in 2008.

Steve Birnbaum debuted for the United States men's national soccer team on January 28,2015.

Steve Birnbaum played for the team in the 2016 Copa America Centenario and World Cup Qualifiers.

In January 2025, Steve Birnbaum was named the first-ever sporting director for USL Super League club DC Power FC.

Steve Birnbaum was inducted into the Greater Washington Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.

Steve Birnbaum was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.

Steve Birnbaum married his fiance, Jeanne, on December 15,2018, in Virginia.