Roman Celentano Bio
Roman Marcello Celentano is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club FC Cincinnati. Born in Naperville, Illinois, Celentano rose through the Chicago Sockers youth setup before starring for the Indiana Hoosiers at the collegiate level. He was selected second overall by FC Cincinnati in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, becoming the highest-drafted goalkeeper in the SuperDraft since Andre Blake in 2014. Known for his reflexes, command of the penalty area, and big-match temperament, Celentano has quickly established himself as one of the league’s most promising shot-stoppers, earning the MLS Save of the Year award on multiple occasions.
Early Life and Background
Roman Marcello Celentano was born on September 14, 2000, in Naperville, Illinois, to Marcello and Manuela Celentano. He grew up alongside two siblings, Julian and Remi, in a supportive family environment in the western Chicago suburbs. Celentano attended Neuqua Valley High School, where he began to attract attention for his athletic frame and goalkeeping instincts on the local soccer scene.
During his youth career, Celentano joined the Chicago Sockers in 2016, a respected development club in the Midwest. He spent three seasons sharpening his game with the Sockers, training in an environment that produced several college-level prospects. Those formative years laid the technical foundation he would later build on at the collegiate level.
Path to Soccer
After completing his high school career, Celentano enrolled at Indiana University in 2019 and joined the Indiana Hoosiers men’s soccer program. Over three seasons, he became one of the most decorated goalkeepers in the Big Ten Conference, anchoring a defense that claimed regular-season and tournament titles in his first two years. His college resume included back-to-back Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year awards, two selections to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team, and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Tournament honor in 2020.
Following his junior year, Celentano decided to forgo his senior season and sign a Generation Adidas contract with Major League Soccer, which made him eligible for the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. Widely projected as a Top 10 pick, he was selected second overall by FC Cincinnati and signed his professional contract on the same day, January 11, 2022.
Roman Celentano Career
Early Career (2022)
Celentano began his professional career on loan with FC Cincinnati 2, the club’s reserve side competing in MLS Next Pro. He made his professional debut on March 27, 2022, in a 2–0 loss to Philadelphia Union II, gaining valuable senior minutes. He returned to the first team shortly after, making his U.S. Open Cup debut on April 19, 2022, against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, and his MLS debut five days later in a 2–1 loss to Los Angeles FC.
His first MLS clean sheet arrived on May 4, 2022, in a victory over Toronto FC, and he followed it with another shutout against Minnesota United FC. The strong run of form earned him a place in the MLS Team of the Week for Week 10 of the 2022 season, signaling a fast start to his top-flight career.
FC Cincinnati Breakthrough (2023)
Celentano’s 2023 campaign cemented his reputation as one of the league’s most improved goalkeepers. During a 3–2 win over the Columbus Crew on May 20, 2023, he punched away a close-range header from Steven Moreira late in the match to preserve the victory. The spectacular stop was later named the 2023 MLS Save of the Year, his first individual league honor.
Beyond the highlight-reel save, Celentano was a regular starter for an FC Cincinnati side that reached the MLS Cup Playoffs. He also received his first senior international call-up in January 2023, joining the United States Men’s National Team for friendlies against Serbia and Colombia.
FC Cincinnati Era (2022–Present)
Since taking over the starting role, Celentano has been a fixture in goal for FC Cincinnati. Wearing the number 18 shirt, he has produced consistent performances that have helped the club remain a competitive presence in the Eastern Conference. His combination of size, footwork, and shot-stopping instincts has made him a key part of head coach Pat Noonan’s setup.
On October 28, 2025, Celentano was awarded the 2025 MLS Save of the Year for a performance in which he denied multiple close-range attempts by Nashville SC’s Alex Muyl and Sam Surridge in a 2–1 win on March 29. With the honor, he became only the fourth goalkeeper in league history to win the award on multiple occasions, joining an elite list of MLS netminders.
Notable Events and Milestones
Celentano’s defining moments include his back-to-back MLS Save of the Year honors in 2023 and 2025, his second-overall selection in the 2022 SuperDraft, and his record as the highest-drafted goalkeeper since 2014. Each milestone has reflected his growth into a top-tier MLS goalkeeper and a leader for FC Cincinnati.
Roman Celentano Career Wins
Roman Celentano’s career wins to date are anchored in his individual league recognition and his team’s regular-season and playoff results. While the goalkeeper position is judged on shutouts and saves rather than goals, his impact has translated into important victories and clean sheets for FC Cincinnati.
MLS Highlights
Celentano’s first MLS clean sheet came on May 4, 2022, against Toronto FC, followed by a second consecutive shutout versus Minnesota United FC. He later added the 2023 MLS Save of the Year for his late stop against the Columbus Crew and captured the 2025 MLS Save of the Year for his work against Nashville SC, becoming the fourth goalkeeper to win the award multiple times.
Other Wins and Performances
During his time with the Indiana Hoosiers, Celentano was part of teams that won back-to-back Big Ten regular-season and tournament championships in 2019 and 2020, while earning Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year twice and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Tournament in 2020. He also helped FC Cincinnati 2 during his brief loan spell, gaining the senior experience that accelerated his first-team development.
Roman Celentano Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Roman Celentano was raised by his parents, Marcello and Manuela Celentano, in Naperville, Illinois. He has two siblings, Julian and Remi, who have been part of his support system throughout his rise through the youth, college, and professional ranks.
Personal Life
Celentano is an American citizen who continues to be based in the Cincinnati area while playing for FC Cincinnati. He is active on social media, where he engages with fans under the handle @roman_413. Beyond his professional commitments, he has been known to support youth soccer initiatives in his hometown community.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 MLS season has further elevated Roman Celentano’s standing among the league’s elite goalkeepers. He opened the year strong with a memorable 2–1 win over Nashville SC on March 29, 2025, a match in which he stopped multiple close-range chances from Alex Muyl and Sam Surridge. That performance set the tone for a season in which he has continued to deliver key saves in tight contests.
By mid-season, Celentano had been recognized as one of the most consistent shot-stoppers in the Eastern Conference, helping FC Cincinnati push for a top playoff seed. His command of the box and communication with his back line have been central to the team’s defensive organization under Pat Noonan.
The highlight of his 2025 campaign came on October 28, when he was announced as the winner of the 2025 MLS Save of the Year. The award, his second, placed him in rare company as only the fourth goalkeeper to earn the honor on multiple occasions, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most reliable finishers of matches in Major League Soccer.
