Justin Braun

Justin Braun
Name	Justin Braun
Fullname	Justin Braun
Birth date	1987-10-26
Birth place	San Diego, California, United States
Height	1.85 m
Position	Forward
Youthclubs1	San Diego Nomads
Youthclubs2	Albion SC
Collegeyears1	2006–2008
College1	San Diego State Aztecs
Collegecaps1	61
Collegegoals1	32
Years1	2009–2011
Clubs1	Real Salt Lake
Caps1	57
Years2	2011–2014
Clubs2	Philadelphia Union
Caps2	88
Goals2	22
Years3	2015–2018
Clubs3	Columbus Crew SC
Caps3	84
Goals3	12
Nationalyears1	2003–2004
Nationalteam1	United States U17

Justin Braun

Justin Braun (born October 26, 1987) is an American former professional soccer forward who played in Major League Soccer. He spent his career with several MLS clubs and represented the United States at youth levels, earning recognition for his goal-scoring instincts and work rate. Braun developed through Southern California youth systems, collegiate competition, and the MLS SuperDraft before a professional career spanning Real Salt Lake, Philadelphia Union, and Columbus Crew SC.

Early life and youth career

Braun was born in San Diego, California and grew up in the Southern California soccer environment that produced players linked to academies such as the Nomads Soccer Club (San Diego) and Albion SC San Diego. As a youth he participated in tournaments hosted by organizations like the U.S. Youth Soccer regionals and trained alongside prospects connected to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. His youth peers included players who later joined collegiate programs at institutions such as the University of California, Los Angeles, Stanford University, and University of Maryland, College Park.

College and amateur career

Braun attended San Diego State University and played for the San Diego State Aztecs men's soccer team, competing in conferences that featured programs like the University of California, Berkeley and University of San Diego. During his collegiate career he received honors and attracted attention from scouts involved with the Major League Soccer SuperDraft and the United Soccer Leagues due to a prolific scoring record. He also saw time in amateur summer competitions against squads aligned with clubs from the Premier Development League and matches that mirrored collegiate rivalries with teams from Santa Clara University and California State University, Fullerton.

Professional club career

Braun entered the professional ranks via selection processes coordinated by Major League Soccer and signed with Real Salt Lake where he joined teammates who competed in competitions like the CONCACAF Champions League and faced opponents such as LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders FC. He later moved to Philadelphia Union in a transfer intended to bolster attacking depth; there he scored goals against teams like DC United and participated in fixtures at venues including PPL Park. Braun subsequently joined Columbus Crew SC, contributing in matches versus clubs like New York Red Bulls and Sporting Kansas City and working under coaching staffs that had links to managers with histories at Portland Timbers and Toronto FC. Throughout his MLS tenure he featured in playoffs and domestic cup competitions that involved clubs from FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo.

International career

At youth level Braun represented the United States men's national under-17 soccer team in cycles organized by U.S. Soccer. He participated in camps and fixtures against youth teams from federations such as Mexico national youth football team and Canada men's national soccer team and was involved in development tournaments that paralleled those run by the FIFA U-17 World Championship qualifying structures. Although he did not become a regular for senior national team selections like the United States men's national soccer team, his youth involvement connected him to national programs that produced players who later featured in tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Playing style and reception

Braun was characterized as a forward with strong poaching instincts, capable of playing as a central striker alongside teammates in systems influenced by coaches with backgrounds at clubs such as Ajax Amsterdam academies or English Football League setups. Analysts and commentators from outlets that cover Major League Soccer noted his movement in the box, ability to convert secondary chances, and work rate on transitional plays against defensive units from teams like Colorado Rapids and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Praise often referenced comparisons to MLS forwards with target-man tendencies or penalty-area finishing traits seen in players who developed at programs such as U.S. College soccer pipelines.

Personal life

Braun has maintained roots in San Diego, California and engaged with community initiatives similar to programs run by MLS clubs in partnership with organizations like MLS WORKS. Off the pitch he has interactions with former collegiate teammates now involved with institutions such as San Diego State University and professionals connected to coaching pathways through entities like the United Soccer Coaches association. He has also been associated with San Diego-area soccer events that include alumni matches and youth coaching clinics tied to local clubs and regional tournaments.

Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:American men's soccer players Category:Association football forwards Category:San Diego State Aztecs men's soccer players Category:Major League Soccer players