| Jackson Wälti | |
| Birth Date: | 7 December 1999 |
| Birth Place: | St. Augustine, Florida, United States |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Currentclub: | Pittsburgh Riverhounds |
| Clubnumber: | 42 |
| Youthyears1: | 2014–2018 |
| Youthclubs1: | Montverde Academy |
| Collegeyears1: | 2018–2023 |
| College1: | Pittsburgh Panthers |
| Collegecaps1: | 101 |
| Collegegoals1: | 6 |
| Years1: | 2023 |
| Clubs1: | Austin FC II |
| Caps1: | 12 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2023 |
| Clubs2: | Colorado Rapids 2 |
| Caps2: | 8 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2024– |
| Clubs3: | Pittsburgh Riverhounds |
| Caps3: | 0 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | 12:17, 10 March 2024 (UTC) |
Jackson Wälti (born December 7, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for the USL Championship club Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.
Prior to joining the Panthers, Wälti played for Montverde Academy in Florida.[1]
Starting in 2018, Wälti played for Pittsburgh Panthers, playing all 19 games of the season and scoring one goal against NC State Wolfpack.[2] Wälti played 20 games in 2019, also scoring against Duke University.[3] Wälti played every minute of every game in te 2020–21 season, joining teammate Nico Campuzano as the only two players to do that. Wälti scored 1 and assisted 3 that season.[4] [5] In the 2021 season, Wälti scored 1 goal for Pitt in the NCAA men's soccer tournament second round against Northern Illinois.[6] Additionally, Wälti played every game of that season.[7] [8] In 2022, Wälti helped Pittsburgh defeat NC State by scoring his second goal of the season.[9]
On December 21, 2023, Wälti was selected 56th overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by Austin FC.[10]
After the 2022 season with the Panthers, Wälti signed with MLS Next Pro side Austin FC II.[11] [12] However, Wälti would only play 12 games in the first half of the MLS Next Pro season before being transferred to Colorado Rapids 2 in the same league.[13] [14]
Wälti got his first MLS Next Pro assist in the 6–2 victory over Whitecaps FC 2.[15] At the end of the 2023 season, Wälti's option for 2024 was not picked up.[16] [17]
In January 2024, Wälti signed with USL Championship club, Pittsburgh Riverhounds after his 8 appearances with Colorado in the 2023 season.[18] [19] Wälti played his former club, Pittsburgh Panthers, in a preseason game with the Riverhounds, which they won 2–0.[20] Wälti made his official debut in the 1–0 loss away to New Mexico United, which Wälti started.[21] Wälti scored his first professional goal in the 2-2 draw with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.[22]
Born in St. Augustine, Florida, Wälti spent time living in India, Japan and Brazil, before settling down in Switzerland.[23] [24] Wälti is of Swiss descent through his father and holds dual American and Swiss citizenship.[23] [25]