Matt Lampson (born September 6, 1989) is an American former
soccer
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 Football player, players who almost exclusively use their feet to propel a Ball (association football), ball around a rectangular f ...
player who played as a
goalkeeper
In many team sports that involve scoring goal (sport), goals, the goalkeeper (sometimes termed goaltender, netminder, GK, goalie, or keeper) is a designated player charged with directly preventing the opposing team from scoring by blocking or i ...
.
Career
Youth and college
A team captain during his senior season, Lampson was the two-time MVP at
St. Charles Preparatory School
Saint Charles Preparatory School is a four-year Catholic college preparatory school in Columbus, Ohio, US. It was founded in 1923 by the fourth bishop of Columbus, James J. Hartley, as a Roman Catholic college and high school seminary. Today, i ...
in 2006 and 2007, and was named to the 2007 All-Central Catholic League Team. The
Hilliard, Ohio
Hilliard is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The population was 37,114 at the 2020 census. It is a suburb of Columbus and part of Norwich Township.
History
In 1852, John Reed Hilliard bought of farmland in western Franklin Cou ...
native helped the Crew Soccer Academy advance to the Academy National Finals in 2008. Lampson started on the Academy Great Lakes team and was a five-time Ohio South State Champion.
After beginning his collegiate career at
Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a public research university in DeKalb, Illinois, United States. It was founded as "Northern Illinois State Normal School" in 1895 by Illinois Governor John P. Altgeld, initially to provide the state with c ...
, Lampson transferred to
Ohio State
The Ohio State University (Ohio State or OSU) is a public land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio, United States. A member of the University System of Ohio, it was founded in 1870. It is one of the largest universities by enrollme ...
in 2009. He appeared in 56 career matches for the Buckeyes, posting a school record 0.86 goals against average and 24 shutouts, which ranks second on OSU's all-time list.
From 2009 to 2011, Lampson earned numerous accolades including
Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2009, Big Ten All-Freshman Team in 2009, All All-Big Ten First Team in 2010, All-Big Ten Second Team in 2009 and 2011, All-Big Ten Fall Academic Team in 2011, Academic All-Big Ten in 2011, and eight Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Professional
Lampson became the second Homegrown signing in
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew are an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference (MLS), Eastern Conference. The team began play in 1996 as one of the 10 cha ...
history on December 15, 2011.
During his rookie season in 2012, Lampson appeared in three matches, earning one start. Lampson made seven saves and recorded two wins on Aug 25 and Sept. 15. Lampson additionally appeared in the Crew's friendly against Stoke City and started the U.S. Open Cup match against the Dayton Dutch Lions on May 29.
Lampson started 13 games in goal and compiled a 7-6-0 record with a 1.38 goals against average en route to five shutouts in 2013. Lampson started his first game of the season on July 7 against the Timbers and earned the shutouts in the 1–0 win. From Aug 3 through Oct 19, Lampson appeared in 12 consecutive games in goal, recording four or more saves in five straight matches. Lampson additionally appeared in one Open Cup game, a 2–1 win over the Dayton Dutch Lions on May 29. Named OhioHealth Humanitarian of the Year.
In 2014, took part in the inaugural Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game, starting and featuring in the first half of a 0–0 draw against the Portland Timbers U-23s. Played the full 90 minutes of the Crew's international friendly against Crystal Palace FC on July 23. Named the OhioHealth Humanitarian of the Year for the second consecutive season.
In 2015 Lampson was loaned to USL side Pittsburgh Riverhounds for one game, a 2–1 loss at Charlotte on June 13.
Was subsequently loaned to the Charlotte Independence for six games. Made his Independence debut against Saint Louis FC on July 4. Made seven saves against Louisville City FC in a 1–0 loss on July 11. Tallied four saves and earned the shutout in a 0–0 draw at Rochester on July 18. Had his second-straight shutout against FC Montreal on July 24. Took part in the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game for the second consecutive year.
On December 7, 2015, it was announced that Lampson's contract with Columbus had run out and that the club would not be renewing his contract. Lampson was eligible for the 2015 MLS Re-Entry draft but was not selected.
Following a trial during preseason, Lampson signed with the Fire on February 26, 2016. Lampson appeared in the first nine matches of the season for the Men in Red, and set a club record shutout streak for 411 minutes from March 19 through April 16. Made a career-high nine saves against the Vancouver Whitecaps on May 11. During this same match, he had a violent collision with Japanese player Masato Kudo, which resulted in the latter's jaw breaking. Started all four games in the Fire's run to the semifinal round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Blocked two shots during a penalty kick shootout in the fourth round match against Indy Eleven on June 15. On November 3 was named MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year.
On January 19, 2018, Lampson was traded by Chicago to
Minnesota United FC
Minnesota United Football Club, often shortened to MNUFC, is an American professional Association football, soccer club based in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the W ...
. Lampson was released by Minnesota at the end of their 2018 season. Lampson earned the starting role in preseason and played the first nine games of the season for the Loons. On November 8, Lampson was named 2018 MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year, becoming the only player in league history to win the award multiple times.
Lampson was selected by
LA Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional Association football, soccer club based in the Greater Los Angeles area. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference (MLS), Western Conference. The Gal ...
in the second-round of the
2018 MLS Re-Entry Draft
The 2018 MLS Re-Entry Draft took place on December 14, 2018 (Stage 1) and December 20, 2018 (Stage 2). All 24 Major League Soccer clubs were eligible to participate. The priority order for the MLS Re-Entry Draft was reverse order of finish in 20 ...
on December 20, 2018. Lampson appeared in his first competitive match for the Galaxy on July 23 in the quarterfinal round of the Leagues Cup. After the Galaxy and Club Tijuana finished regulation at 2-2, Lampson saved three penalty kicks in the ensuing shootout to propel his side into the semifinal round.
Lampson was named MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year for the third time on Oct. 22.
On December 12, 2019, it was announced that Lampson would make his return to his hometown club, signing with Columbus Crew as a free agent. Lampson was part of the Columbus squad that won the
2020 MLS Cup.
Following his release from Columbus, Lampson joined
USL Championship
The USL Championship (USLC) is a men's professional association football, soccer league in the second tier of the United States soccer league system#Men's leagues, United States league system. It is organized by the United Soccer League (USL) a ...
side
Hartford Athletic
Hartford Athletic is an American professional association football, soccer team based in Hartford, Connecticut. The club was founded in 2018 and started play in the USL Championship in 2019. It is the only pro soccer team in Connecticut (thoug ...
on September 24, 2021.
Coaching career
Lampson joined the
Houston Dash
The Houston Dash are an American professional soccer team based in Houston, Texas, that competes in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). The Dash began play in the 2014 season. The team plays its home games at Shell Energy Stadium.
His ...
as an assistant coach in May 2022. He was fired in March 2024 for violating the NWSL's anti-fraternization policy and coach code of conduct.
The LampStrong Foundation
Lampson founded The LampStrong Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, in 2014. The mission of The LampStrong Foundation is to provide financial, emotional and motivational support to cancer patients, survivors, and their families.
The LampStrong Foundation hosted the inaugural Kick Cancer Cup on Aug. 23, 2015. Local celebrities, former Ohio State athletes and Crew SC players attended the event, which raised more than $20,000.
The foundation announced a partnership with the
Lurie Children's Hospital
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, formerly Children's Memorial Hospital and commonly known as Lurie Children's, is a nationally ranked pediatric acute care children's hospital located in Chicago, Illinois. The hospital has ...
on April 24, which will help promote health, wellness, and physical fitness among children and teenagers in the midst of cancer treatments.
The LampStrong Foundation donated $20,000 to Lurie Children's, the funds of which will go towards the HOT (Hematology, Oncology, and Transplant) Healthy Living Initiative.
On March 29, 2019, the foundation announced a $5,000 donation to the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital's University of Minnesota Foundation. The Foundation used the initial funding to kick start social programming focused on the adolescent and young adult cancer patient with the goal of creating opportunities for patients connect, feel less isolated and provide shared emotional support, which is accomplished through both in and out of hospital events.
Personal life
Lampson was previously in a relationship with professional soccer player
Katie Stengel
Katherine Nicole Stengel (born February 29, 1992) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Women's Super League club Crystal Palace.
Stengel previously played for the Boston Breakers, Washington Spirit, Utah Roya ...
.
Career statistics
Club
Honors
Columbus Crew
*
MLS Cup
MLS Cup is the annual championship game of Major League Soccer (MLS) and the culmination of the MLS Playoffs. The game is held in November or December and pits the winner of the Eastern Conference Final against the winner of the Western Confere ...
:
2020
The year 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of even ...
Individual
*
MLS Humanitarian of the Year Award
The MLS Humanitarian of the Year Award, also known as the MLS W.O.R.K.S Humanitarian of the Year Award, is given to a Major League Soccer player who exemplifies both skill on the field and service within the community. This finalists of the award ...
:
2016
2016 was designated as:
* International Year of Pulses by the sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly.
* International Year of Global Understanding (IYGU) by the International Council for Science (ICSU), the Internationa ...
,
2018
Events January
* January 1 – Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, after the Estonian presidency.
* January 4 – SPLM-IO rebels loyal to Chan Garang Lual start a raid against Juba, capital of ...
,
2019
This was the year in which the first known human case of COVID-19 was documented, preceding COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic which was declared by the World Health Organization the following year.
Up to that point, 2019 had been described as ...
References
External links
*
Matt Lampsonat
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent Ohio State University, located in Columbus, Ohio. The athletic programs are named after the colloquial term for people from the state of Ohio and after the state tree, ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lampson, Matt
1989 births
Living people
American men's soccer players
Men's association football goalkeepers
Charlotte Independence players
Chicago Fire FC players
Columbus Crew players
Hartford Athletic players
Homegrown Players (MLS)
LA Galaxy players
Major League Soccer players
Minnesota United FC players
Northern Illinois Huskies men's soccer players
Ohio State Buckeyes men's soccer players
Sportspeople from Cleveland, Tennessee
People from Hilliard, Ohio
Sportspeople from Franklin County, Ohio
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC players
Soccer players from Ohio
Soccer players from Tennessee
USL Championship players
Houston Dash non-playing staff