Andrew Privett Bio
Andrew Dayton Privett (born August 2, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Charlotte FC of Major League Soccer. Standing 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) tall, he wears the number 4 shirt and has established himself as a reliable center-back since breaking into the first team. He was selected in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft and quickly developed into a regular starter. Privett is widely recognized for his strong positional play, aerial ability, and calm distribution from the back.
Early Life and Background
Andrew Dayton Privett was born on August 2, 2000, in Fallston, Maryland, United States. Growing up in the Baltimore area, he was introduced to soccer at a young age and joined the local club scene, where he developed his skills as a defender. His early years were shaped by a strong regional soccer culture that emphasized technical development and competitive match play.
Privett attended the McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Maryland, where he played four seasons of varsity soccer. He helped McDonogh to MIAA championships in 2015, 2017, and 2018, establishing himself as one of the top young defenders in the region. During the 2017 season, he was named second team All-State and first team All-Metro and All-MIAA, and in 2018 he was recognized as first team All-State, All-MIAA, and All-Metro Boys Soccer Player of the Year. He also earned United Soccer Coaches high school All-Mid-Atlantic Region Team and All-America Team honors. In addition to his high school career, Privett played six seasons with the Baltimore Celtic 2000s in the U.S. Youth Soccer National League, winning back-to-back national championships in 2017 and 2018.
Before college, Privett also spent time with the Baltimore Armour from 2013 to 2019, further refining his game against top youth competition. His youth career laid a clear foundation for the next stage of his development.
Path to Professional Soccer
Privett committed to Pennsylvania State University in 2019, where he played four seasons of college soccer for the Penn State Nittany Lions. Over that span, he made 68 appearances, scoring 14 goals and tallying 13 assists, a remarkable output for a defender. In his junior season, he was named to the All-Big Ten Conference Second Team and earned Third Team All-North Region accolades from United Soccer Coaches, while leading the Big Ten Conference in goals scored with 9.
During his college years, Privett also gained senior-level experience in the USL League Two. In 2021, he made a single appearance for the Ocean City Nor’easters, and in 2022 he featured in three matches for Christos FC. These opportunities allowed him to test himself against older, more experienced players and prepared him for the professional ranks.
On December 22, 2022, Privett was selected 69th overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by Charlotte FC. The selection marked the official beginning of his professional career in Major League Soccer.
Andrew Privett Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Privett’s early senior career was split between collegiate and amateur play. At Penn State, he was a consistent contributor across four seasons, helping anchor the Nittany Lions’ defense while contributing meaningful attacking numbers from the back. His leadership and statistical production drew the attention of Major League Soccer scouts.
His amateur stints with the Ocean City Nor’easters in 2021 and Christos FC in 2022 provided short but important glimpses of professional-level competition. These experiences helped him transition smoothly into a full-time professional environment once drafted.
MLS Breakthrough (2023)
Privett signed a professional contract with Charlotte FC on February 24, 2023. He made his first team debut on April 25, 2023, entering as a 64th-minute substitute during a 4–1 win over USL League One side South Georgia Tormenta in the U.S. Open Cup. Initially used in a wider role, he transitioned to center-back in the second half of the 2023 MLS season and quickly emerged as a regular starter.
His composure, reading of the game, and willingness to step into tackles earned him a permanent place in the Charlotte FC starting lineup. By the end of his rookie season, he had established himself as one of the club’s most promising young defenders.
Charlotte FC Era (2023–Present)
Privett was sent on loan to Crown Legacy FC, Charlotte’s developmental affiliate, for part of the 2023 and 2024 seasons, where he continued to gain valuable match experience. In 2024, under the management of former Premier League defender Dean Smith, Privett became a fixture in the Charlotte FC backline and signed a new contract extension through 2028, with an option for 2029.
His central-defensive partnership with Adilson Malanda was a key reason Charlotte FC allowed the second-fewest goals in Major League Soccer during the 2024 season. Privett’s growth into a top MLS defender has been one of the success stories of Charlotte’s young roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Privett is a composed, positionally sound center-back who excels in aerial duels and one-on-one defending. His ability to play out from the back, combined with his prior attacking output in college, makes him a modern ball-playing defender. His growing partnership with Adilson Malanda has been a cornerstone of Charlotte FC’s recent defensive success.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Privett’s career include his 2023 MLS SuperDraft selection, his senior debut in the U.S. Open Cup, and his central-defensive partnership with Malanda that helped Charlotte record the second-best defensive record in MLS in 2024. His contract extension through 2028 reflects his importance to the club’s long-term project.
Andrew Privett Career Wins
Andrew Privett’s competitive honors began at the youth level and have continued into his professional career. While he has not yet captured a major senior trophy, his consistent performances and team success at Charlotte FC suggest more milestones are within reach.
Club and Youth Highlights
Privett won three MIAA championships with the McDonogh School in 2015, 2017, and 2018, and back-to-back U.S. Youth Soccer National League national championships with the Baltimore Celtic 2000s in 2017 and 2018. At the professional level, he was part of the Charlotte FC squad that recorded the second-fewest goals conceded in Major League Soccer during the 2024 season.
Other Performances
Beyond his club duties, Privett earned individual recognition in college as an All-Big Ten Second Team selection and a Third Team All-North Region honoree. His high school accolades, including All-Metro Boys Soccer Player of the Year in 2018, underscored his status as one of the top young defenders in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Andrew Privett Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Andrew Dayton Privett grew up in Fallston, Maryland, and developed his soccer skills in the greater Baltimore area. While specific details about his parents are not publicly verified, his deep roots in Maryland’s strong youth soccer community played a central role in his development as a defender.
Personal Life
Privett currently resides in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area, where he plays for Charlotte FC. He remains focused on his professional career, and details about his personal relationships are not publicly disclosed.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 Major League Soccer season, Andrew Privett remains a key part of the Charlotte FC defense under manager Dean Smith. His central-defensive partnership with Adilson Malanda is expected to remain a cornerstone of the team’s tactical setup, and the club will look to build on its 2024 performance that saw it concede the second-fewest goals in the league.
With a contract running through 2028, Privett is expected to continue as a regular starter and a leader in the Charlotte FC backline. His development into one of the league’s promising young center-backs makes the 2025 campaign an important next step in his career trajectory.
Should Charlotte FC push for a deep playoff run in 2025, Privett’s defensive consistency and ability to contribute in possession will be central to the team’s ambitions. His continued growth will be closely watched by both the club and the broader MLS community.