Sivert August Felde Haugli Bio
Sivert August Felde Haugli (born 5 May 1999) is a Norwegian professional footballer who plays as a defender for USL League One club One Knoxville. Standing at 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in), he is a tall central defender who began his football journey in the youth systems of clubs in the Oslo region before moving to the United States to play college soccer at Virginia Tech. After four seasons with the Hokies, he was selected in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft by the Portland Timbers organization and has since played for Phoenix Rising, Moss, and One Knoxville across multiple American and Norwegian competitions.
Early Life and Background
Sivert August Felde Haugli was born on 5 May 1999 in Oslo, Norway. Growing up in the Norwegian capital, he was introduced to football at a young age through local youth clubs. His early football education took place in the youth setup at Snarøya SK, a community club in the Bærum municipality near Oslo, where he developed his foundational skills as a defender.
Haugli comes from a football family. His father, Frode Haugli, played as a defender for Norwegian side HamKam, which gave Sivert a direct connection to the professional game from childhood. He also has a younger brother, Oskar, who has followed in his footsteps and currently plays at Virginia Tech, the same college program where Sivert built much of his early reputation in the United States.
Path to Soccer
Haugli’s progression through Norwegian football followed a familiar youth-to-senior pathway. After his time at Snarøya SK, he moved into the Stabæk academy, one of the more established development environments in the greater Oslo area, where he spent time between 2014 and 2016. In 2016, he joined Bærum, and he went on to appear for the club’s first team in both 2017 and 2018, gaining senior experience as a teenager.
In 2018, Haugli made the decision to move to the United States to play college soccer at Virginia Tech. Over four seasons with the Hokies, he made 71 appearances, scoring four goals and adding three assists, while also earning a place on the 2020 Academic Honor Roll. During his 2021 college season, he also joined USL League Two side Des Moines Menace, scoring two goals in seven regular-season games and adding another in two playoff matches as the Menace claimed the league title.
Sivert August Felde Haugli Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Haugli’s senior career began at Bærum in 2017, after progressing through the club’s youth system. Operating as a defender, he featured for the first team across the 2017 and 2018 seasons, an important period that allowed him to combine senior football in Norway’s lower divisions with his ongoing development.
This early phase laid the groundwork for his transition to college soccer in the United States. His experience at Bærum, combined with his time in the Stabæk academy, helped shape his tactical understanding and physical conditioning as a centre-back.
Virginia Tech Era (2018–2021)
Haugli spent four seasons with the Virginia Tech Hokies men’s soccer program between 2018 and 2021. He became a regular in the Hokies’ defensive setup, ultimately making 71 appearances and contributing four goals and three assists across his college career. In 2020, he was recognized for his work in the classroom with a selection to the Academic Honor Roll.
During the 2021 season, Haugli also gained valuable summer experience with the Des Moines Menace in USL League Two. He scored two goals in seven regular-season games and added another in two playoff appearances, helping the Menace secure the league title that year.
MLS SuperDraft and Phoenix Rising (2022)
On 11 January 2022, Haugli was selected 83rd overall in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft by the Portland Timbers. He joined Portland on their preseason tour but ultimately went unsigned by the first team.
On 26 April 2022, it was announced that he would sign with Portland’s MLS Next Pro side, Portland Timbers 2, while being loaned to USL Championship club Phoenix Rising for the remainder of the season. He made nine appearances for Phoenix Rising before being recalled by Portland on 9 August 2022, after which he featured in six games for Timbers 2 in MLS Next Pro that year.
Moss and Return to Norway (2023)
After his stint in the Portland system, Haugli returned to Norway for a season with Moss in 2023. The move gave him the chance to reset, gain regular senior minutes in a familiar football culture, and continue developing as a defender after his first professional experiences in the United States.
One Knoxville Era (2024–2025)
On 28 December 2023, Haugli returned to the United States to sign with USL League One side One Knoxville ahead of their 2024 season. The move represented a return to the American lower divisions where he had previously found success with Des Moines Menace, but at a higher competitive level within the USL pyramid.
As a tall, physically imposing centre-back, Haugli slotted into the One Knoxville defensive unit and has continued to build his reputation in the USL League One. He remains with the club heading into 2025, looking to establish himself as a regular starter and contribute to the team’s ambitions in the league.
Notable Events and Milestones
Haugli’s career has featured several notable moments, including being selected in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, contributing to Des Moines Menace’s USL League Two title in 2021, and earning an Academic Honor Roll selection at Virginia Tech in 2020. His return to the United States with One Knoxville marked a fresh chapter after a season in Norway with Moss.
Sivert August Felde Haugli Career Wins
Haugli’s most prominent team honour came during his time with Des Moines Menace in 2021, when he helped the club win the USL League Two title, scoring in both the regular season and the playoffs. He has not yet recorded a major senior club trophy at the professional level, but his consistent appearances for Virginia Tech, Phoenix Rising, Portland Timbers 2, Moss, and One Knoxville underline his durability as a defender.
USL League Two Highlights
With Des Moines Menace in 2021, Haugli made seven regular-season appearances and two playoff appearances, scoring three goals in total. His contributions helped the Menace secure the league championship that year.
Other Wins & Performances
At Virginia Tech, Haugli made 71 appearances and contributed four goals and three assists across four college seasons, while being named to the 2020 Academic Honor Roll. He has also made nine appearances for Phoenix Rising in the USL Championship and six appearances for Portland Timbers 2 in MLS Next Pro during the 2022 season.
Sivert August Felde Haugli Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Haugli comes from a footballing family with clear ties to the sport in Norway. His father, Frode Haugli, played as a defender for Norwegian club HamKam, giving Sivert a direct link to the professional game from an early age.
Personal Life
His younger brother, Oskar Haugli, has followed a similar footballing path and currently plays at Virginia Tech, the same college program where Sivert spent four seasons. The two brothers’ shared connection to the Hokies reflects the family’s ongoing commitment to the sport across both Norwegian and American football landscapes.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Haugli remains under contract with One Knoxville in USL League One. The club will be looking to build on its 2024 campaign and push for a stronger position in the league standings, with Haugli expected to play a role in the defensive structure.
After a year that allowed him to settle into the squad and the USL League One environment, the 2025 season represents an opportunity for Haugli to cement a starting role and contribute more consistently in both defensive duties and set-piece situations. His height of 1.96 m remains a key attribute in both boxes.
With prior experience in the USL Championship, MLS Next Pro, and Norwegian football, Haugli brings a well-rounded profile to One Knoxville. If he can stay healthy and maintain his place in the team, the 2025 campaign could be the most productive of his professional career to date.