A. J. Cochran Explained

A. J. Cochran
Full Name:Alec John Cochran
Birth Date:9 February 1993
Birth Place:St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Height:1.91 m
Position:Defender
Collegeyears1:2011–2013
College1:Wisconsin Badgers
Collegecaps1:58
Collegegoals1:5
Years1:2013
Clubs1:Michigan Bucks
Caps1:5
Goals1:0
Years2:2013
Clubs2:K-W United
Caps2:3
Goals2:0
Years3:2014–2015
Clubs3:Houston Dynamo
Caps3:26
Goals3:0
Years4:2015
Clubs4:Charleston Battery (loan)
Caps4:2
Goals4:0
Years5:2016–2017
Clubs5:Saint Louis FC
Caps5:49
Goals5:1
Years6:2018
Clubs6:Atlanta United 2
Caps6:30
Goals6:0
Years7:2019–2020
Clubs7:Phoenix Rising
Caps7:37
Goals7:2
Years8:2021–2022
Clubs8:Indy Eleven
Caps8:47
Goals8:1
Years9:2023
Clubs9:Charleston Battery
Caps9:19
Goals9:0
Totalcaps:218
Totalgoals:4
Nationalyears1:2014
Nationalteam1:United States U23
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:October 17, 2023
Nationalteam-Update:August 16, 2014

Alec John "A. J." Cochran (born February 9, 1993) is an American professional soccer defender.

Early life and education

Cochran was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. His parents are Anne and John Cochran and he has one sister. He attended CBC High School. He also played baseball, basketball, and football as a kid, but his dad encouraged him to focus on soccer.[1] He attended the University of Wisconsin.

Early career

Cochran attended CBC High School in St. Louis, Missouri, where he played on the school soccer team. He helped lead the school to a state championship in his junior year and was an NSCAA All-American (and Missouri's Gatorade player of the year) as a senior.[2] [3] He played for club side St. Louis Scott Gallagher as a kid.[4]

Cochran played three years of college soccer at the University of Wisconsin between 2011 and 2013. He helped take the Badgers to the NCAA tournament his junior year. Accolades he received while at Wisconsin include 2011 Big Ten All-Freshman team, 2012 and 2013 first team All-Big Ten, and 2013 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a 2013 first team NSCAA All-American, the first Badger to be a first team all American since 1995.[5]

While at college, Cochran appeared for PDL clubs Michigan Bucks and K-W United FC during their 2013 seasons.[6] [7]

Cochran left Wisconsin after his junior season, signing a Generation Adidas deal with Major League Soccer.[8]

Houston Dynamo

On January 16, 2014, Cochran was drafted by Houston Dynamo in the first-round (16th overall) of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.[9] He made his professional debut on April 5, coming off the bench in a 4–1 loss to FC Dallas.[10] During his first pro season, Cochran made 19 MLS appearances as the Dynamo finished 8th in the Eastern Conference, missing out on the playoffs.[11] He also made 2 appearances in the U.S. Open Cup.[12]

During the 2015 season, Cochran made 7 MLS appearances as the Dynamo finished 8th in the Western Conference and failed to qualify for the playoffs again.[13] [14] In Open Cup play, Cochran played in all 3 of Houston's games as they reached the quarterfinals, where they lost to Sporting Kansas City 3–1. He also spent part of the season on loan with USL club Charleston Battery, where he made 2 appearances.[15] [16]

On November 30, 2015, Cochran's contract option was declined by the Dynamo.[17]

Saint Louis FC

Despite going on trial with the Colorado Rapids in the 2016 MLS pre-season, where he scored a match winning goal in a friendly against Sacramento Republic,[18] Cochran was not offered a contract and signed with USL club Saint Louis FC on March 6, 2016.[19] He made his debut for Saint Louis on March 26 in a 1–0 loss to Real Monarchs. He had 2 assists from 27 appearances during the regular season as Saint Louis finished 14th in the Western Conference, failing to qualify for the playoffs.[20]

Cochran and Saint Louis opened the 2017 season on March 25 with a 0–0 draw against Louisville City.[21] On May 17 he scored his first goal for Saint Louis in a 4–3 victory against FC Wichita in the U.S. Open Cup. He scored his first league goal for Saint Louis on June 2 in a 2–0 win over Toronto FC II. Cochran ended the season with 18 USL appearances and 1 goal as Saint Louis missed the playoffs again, finishing 12th in the Eastern Conference.[22]

Atlanta United 2

On January 24, 2018, Cochran signed with Atlanta United 2 of the United Soccer League.[23] He made his debut for Atlanta United 2 on March 24, getting the start in a 3–1 win against New York Red Bulls II. He ended the season with 2 assists from 30 appearances as Atlanta United 2 missed the playoffs after finishing 14th in the Eastern Conference.[24] [25]

Phoenix Rising FC

Cochran signed with Phoenix Rising FC on December 25, 2018.[26] He made his debut for Phoenix on March 16 in a 3–3 draw with New Mexico United.[27] Cochran ended the regular season with 24 appearances and 4 assists, helping Phoenix finish top of the Western Conference.[28] He played in both of Phoenix's playoff games as they lost to Real Monarchs in the quarterfinals. Cochran was named to the 2019 USL Championship All-League Second Team.[29]

On August 8, 2020, Cochran scored his first goal for Phoenix in a 5–2 win over New Mexico. He scored again on October 3 in a 4–1 victory against LA Galaxy II. In a shortened regular season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cochran had 2 goals from 13 appearances.[30] He started both of Phoenix's playoff games before the championship game was cancelled after multiple Tampa Bay Rowdies players and staff tested positive for COVID-19.[31]

Indy Eleven

Cochran made the move to USL Championship side Indy Eleven on February 17, 2021.[32] He earned a place in the USL Team of the Week for Week 31 of the 2022 season after scoring a goal and a solid defensive performance in a 4–1 win over the Charleston Battery.

He was released from his contract by mutual agreement on January 31, 2023. During his two years with the club, he accumulated 47 regular season appearances (39 starts) and scored one goal.

Charleston Battery

On February 2, 2023, Cochran joined USL Championship side Charleston Battery for their 2023 season.[33]

Career statistics

[34] [35] [36]

+!rowspan="2"
ClubSeasonLeagueOpen CupPlayoffsContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Houston Dynamo2014MLS19020210
20157030100
Total260500000310
Charleston Battery (loan)2015USL20000020
Saint Louis FC2016USL27010280
201718131212
Total451410000492
Atlanta United 22018USL300300
Phoenix Rising2019USLC2401020270
20201320020152
Total372104000422
Career total140310140001544

Honors

Phoenix Rising

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Statz. Lydia. Team Player: A. J. Cochran. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20151016120437/http://onwisconsin.uwalumni.com:80/contender/team-player-a-j-cochran/ . October 16, 2015 . 2021-01-30. OnWisconsin. en-US.
  2. Web site: AJ Cochran Men's Soccer. 2021-01-30. Wisconsin Badgers. en.
  3. Web site: 2011-05-16. AJ Cochran, CBC Cadets, Named Missouri Gatorade POY. 2021-01-30. SGF Soccer. en-US.
  4. Web site: Three SLSG Alumni Picked in MLS SuperDraft St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club. 2021-01-30. www.slsgsoccer.com.
  5. Web site: 2018 Men's Soccer Record Book (PDF). 2021-01-30. Wisconsin Badgers. en.
  6. Web site: United Soccer Leagues (USL) . Uslpdl.com . April 6, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131210132617/http://www.uslpdl.com/teams/2013/33862327.html#STATS . December 10, 2013 . mdy-all .
  7. Web site: United Soccer Leagues (USL) . Pdl.uslsoccer.com . April 6, 2014 . December 20, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161220095706/http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/teams/2013/22344.html#MAIN . dead .
  8. Web site: ANDERSON. ERIC. 2014-01-14. Center back Cochran off to MLS, UW's first Generation adidas player. 2021-01-30. Wisconsin Soccer Central. en-us.
  9. Web site: Ortiz. Jose de Jesus. January 16, 2014. Dynamo select AJ Cochran in first round of MLS SuperDraft – Houston Chronicle. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140117070137/http://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/Dynamo-select-AJ-Cochran-in-first-round-of-MLS-5149941.php . January 17, 2014 . April 6, 2014. Chron.com.
  10. Web site: A. J. Cochran 2014 Match Logs. 2021-01-30. FBref.com. en.
  11. Web site: 2014 Major League Soccer Stats. 2021-01-30. FBref.com. en.
  12. Web site: USA - A. Cochran - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway. 2021-01-30. us.soccerway.com.
  13. Web site: A. J. Cochran 2015 Match Logs. 2021-01-30. FBref.com. en.
  14. Web site: 2015 Major League Soccer Stats. 2021-01-30. FBref.com. en.
  15. Web site: Pedersen. Matt. May 19, 2015. Loan update: Cochran, Rodriguez & Lisch feature for Charleston in two-game weekend. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210430191833/https://www.houstondynamofc.com/post/2015/05/19/loan-update-cochran-rodriguez-lisch-feature-charleston-two-game-weekend . April 30, 2021 . January 30, 2021. Houston Dynamo.
  16. Web site: A. J. Cochran Stats. 2021-01-30. FBref.com. en.
  17. Web site: November 30, 2015. Houston Dynamo announce roster moves. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210509042259/https://www.houstondynamofc.com/post/2015/11/30/houston-dynamo-announce-roster-moves . May 9, 2021 . January 30, 2021. Houston Dynamo.
  18. Web site: Match Report: Sacramento Republic FC 0-1 Colorado Rapids. February 13, 2016.
  19. Web site: Saint Louis FC Roster Continues to Grow - Saint Louis Football Club . March 7, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160313154412/http://saintlouisfc.com/sports/msoc/2016-17/releases/20160306o2p6oy . March 13, 2016 . dead . mdy-all .
  20. Web site: 2016 USL Stats. 2021-01-30. FBref.com. en.
  21. Web site: A. J. Cochran 2017 Match Logs. 2021-01-30. FBref.com. en.
  22. Web site: 2017 USL Stats. 2021-01-30. FBref.com. en.
  23. News: Atlanta United 2 signs four players to inaugural roster. January 24, 2018. Atlanta United. January 24, 2018.
  24. Web site: A. J. Cochran 2018 Match Logs. 2021-01-30. FBref.com. en.
  25. Web site: 2018 USL Stats. 2021-01-30. FBref.com. en.
  26. Web site: Defender A.J. Cochran Joins Rising FC For 2019. Phoenix Rising Football Club. December 25, 2018. December 25, 2018.
  27. Web site: A. J. Cochran 2019 Match Logs. 2021-01-30. FBref.com. en.
  28. Web site: 2019 USL Championship Stats. 2021-01-30. FBref.com. en.
  29. Web site: USL Championship Announces 2019 All-League Teams. 2021-01-30. www.uslchampionship.com. November 12, 2019.
  30. Web site: A. J. Cochran 2020 Match Logs. 2021-01-30. FBref.com. en.
  31. Web site: USL Championship Final Cancelled, Season Concludes with Tampa Bay, Phoenix as Conference Title-Winners. 2021-01-30. www.uslchampionship.com. October 31, 2020.
  32. Web site: Indy Eleven Bolsters Defensive Corps with Cochran. February 17, 2021.
  33. Web site: Battery sign veteran defender AJ Cochran.
  34. Web site: AJ Cochran. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140116141143/http://www.mlssoccer.com:80/players/aj-cochran . January 16, 2014 . January 29, 2021. Major League Soccer.
  35. Web site: A. J. Cochran Stats. 2021-01-29. FBref.com. en.
  36. Web site: USA - A. Cochran - Profile with news, career statistics and history. 2021-01-29. Soccerway.