Jackson Wälti

Jackson Wälti
Personal information
Date of birth (1999-12-07) 7 December 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth St. Augustine, Florida, United States
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Number 42
Youth career
2014–2018 Montverde Academy
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2023 Pittsburgh Panthers 101 (6)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023 Austin FC II 12 (0)
2023 Colorado Rapids 2 8 (0)
2024– Pittsburgh Riverhounds 24 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 11, 2024

Jackson Wälti (born December 7, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for the USL Championship club Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.

Career

College

Prior to joining the Panthers, Wälti played for Montverde Academy in Florida.[1]

Starting in 2018, Wälti played for Pittsburgh Panthers, playing all 19 games of the season and scoring one goal against NC State Wolfpack.[2] Wälti played 20 games in 2019, also scoring against Duke University.[3] Wälti played every minute of every game in te 2020–21 season, joining teammate Nico Campuzano as the only two players to do that. Wälti scored 1 and assisted 3 that season.[4][5] In the 2021 season, Wälti scored 1 goal for Pitt in the NCAA men's soccer tournament second round against Northern Illinois.[6] Additionally, Wälti played every game of that season.[7][8] In 2022, Wälti helped Pittsburgh defeat NC State by scoring his second goal of the season.[9]

On December 21, 2023, Wälti was selected 56th overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by Austin FC.[10]

Professional

Next Pro Teams

After the 2022 season with the Panthers, Wälti signed with MLS Next Pro side Austin FC II.[11][12] However, Wälti would only play 12 games in the first half of the MLS Next Pro season before being transferred to Colorado Rapids 2 in the same league.[13][14]

Wälti got his first MLS Next Pro assist in the 6–2 victory over Whitecaps FC 2.[15] At the end of the 2023 season, Wälti's option for 2024 was not picked up.[16][17]

Pittsburgh Riverhounds

In January 2024, Wälti signed with USL Championship club, Pittsburgh Riverhounds after his 8 appearances with Colorado in the 2023 season.[18][19] Wälti played his former club, Pittsburgh Panthers, in a preseason game with the Riverhounds, which they won 2–0.[20] Wälti made his official debut in the 1–0 loss away to New Mexico United, which Wälti started.[21] Wälti scored his first professional goal in the 2–2 draw with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.[22] He scored once again against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, though it would eventually result in a 2–1 loss.[23]

Personal life

Born in St. Augustine, Florida, Wälti spent time living in India, Japan and Brazil, before settling down in Switzerland.[24][25] Wälti is of Swiss descent through his father and holds dual American and Swiss citizenship.[24][26]

References

  1. ^ "10 Years of SIMA: Jackson Walti". The Soccer Institute at Montverde Academy. 2024-01-05. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  2. ^ "#12 Wolfpack Falls at Pittsburgh Tuesday Evening". NC State University Athletics. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  3. ^ "Pitt Comes from Behind to Beat Duke, 4-3". Pitt Panthers #H2P. 2019-10-25. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  4. ^ "Nico Campuzano - Men's Soccer". Pitt Panthers #H2P. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  5. ^ "2020-21 Men's Soccer Roster". Pitt Panthers #H2P. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  6. ^ "Pitt Advances to Sweet 16 with 5-2 Win Over Northern Illinois". Pitt Panthers #H2P. 2021-11-21. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  7. ^ "Jackson Walti - Men's Soccer". Pitt Panthers #H2P. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  8. ^ Campbell, Dominic (2022-10-28). "Pitt's Jackson Walti Reflects on his journey from walk-on to program record holder for minutes played". Pittsburgh Soccer Now. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  9. ^ "Pitt Surges Past NC State In Double OT, 4-1; Advances To ACC Quarterfinals Sunday". Pitt Panthers #H2P. 2022-11-02. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  10. ^ "Austin FC Selects Four Players In 2023 MLS SuperDraft | Austin FC". austinfc.
  11. ^ "Austin FC II Adds Three MLS SuperDraft Picks to MLS NEXT Pro Roster | Austin FC". austinfc. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  12. ^ Campbell, Dominic (2022-12-21). "Austin FC select Pitt midfielder Jackson Walti with No. 56 Pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft". Pittsburgh Soccer Now. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  13. ^ "Austin FC II". austinfc. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  14. ^ "Colorado Rapids 2 acquire midfielder Jackson Walti from Austin FC II | Rapids 2". Colorado Rapids. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  15. ^ "Recap | Colorado Rapids 2 dominate Whitecaps FC 2 in 6-2 victory | Rapids 2". Colorado Rapids. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  16. ^ "Colorado Rapids 2 Announce Year-End Roster Updates". OurSports Central. 2023-12-04. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  17. ^ "Colorado Rapids 2 announce year-end roster updates | Rapids 2". Colorado Rapids. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  18. ^ "Hounds bolster midfield with latest signings". Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  19. ^ "Hounds sign midfielders Walti, Sample for new season". USL Championship. 2024-01-26. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  20. ^ "Riverhounds sharpen up in second half to beat Pitt, 2-0". Pittsburgh Soccer Now. 2024-02-24. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  21. ^ Krysinsky, John (2024-03-09). "Lackluster Riverhounds drop season opener to New Mexico, 1-0". Pittsburgh Soccer Now. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  22. ^ Steele, Jerin (2024-08-17). "Stoppage time goals lead to draw between Riverhounds, Colorado Springs". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  23. ^ "Unbeaten run ends with Tampa Bay defeat". Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  24. ^ a b Campbell, Dominic (October 28, 2022). "Pitt's Jackson Walti Reflects on his journey from walk-on to program record holder for minutes played". Pittsburgh Soccer Now.
  25. ^ "10 Years of SIMA: Jackson Walti". SIMA - The Soccer Institute at Montverde Academy. January 5, 2024.
  26. ^ Krysinsky, John (2023-03-04). "Former Pitt standouts Valentin Noel and Jackson Walti sign with Austin FC II". Pittsburgh Soccer Now. Retrieved 2024-03-10.