Kipp Christian Keller (born July 14, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for USL Championship side New Mexico United.
Career Youth and college Keller played high school soccer at The Principia in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was named First-team All-State selection, helping to lead them to a state championship his freshman year. Keller also played club soccer with the Saint Louis FC academy, where he helped the U-19 side advance to the USSDA playoffs in 2018. He signed an academy contract with Saint Louis FC in 2019, making a single appearance for the club in the US Open Cup on May 29, 2019, against Forward Madison.
In 2019, Keller attended Saint Louis University to play college soccer. He went on to make 49 appearances for the Billikens, scoring five goals and tallying two assists. He also earned honors such as second-team All-Conference and A-10 All-Rookie team in 2019, second-team All-Conference in 2020, and second-team All-American nod in 2021, as well as Atlantic-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He and the 2021 team advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA College Cup.
Keller was part of the USL League Two roster for St. Louis Scott Gallagher during their 2021 season, but didn't appear for the club.
Professional Austin FC In January 2022, it was announced that Keller had signed a Generation Adidas contract with Major League Soccer, and would leave college a year early to enter the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. On January 11, 2022, he was selected 5th overall in the SuperDraft by Austin FC. He made his professional debut on February 26, 2022, starting against FC Cincinnati in a 5–0 win. On November 17, 2023, Austin FC announced they would not exercise the 2024 option for Keller. After a poor showing in the first game of the 2023 season Keller was loaned to the Austin FC second team Austin FC II. Keller appeared in 16 games as a center back for Austin FC II during their 2023 MLS Next Pro Cup season.
FC Cincinnati In December 2023, Keller signed with FC Cincinnati following the conclusion of his contract with Austin FC, who declined his 2024 option.
Minnesota United In December 2024, Keller was selected by Minnesota United FC in Stage 1 of the MLS Re-Entry Draft. He joined the club ahead of the 2025 season, splitting his time between the senior squad and Minnesota United FC 2 in MLS Next Pro. On August 22, 2025, New Mexico United announced the acquisition of Keller for the remainder of the 2025 USL Championship season. On October 11, Keller scored his first professional goal in a 3–3 draw with Orange County SC. On November 26, Minnesota United announced that they had declined Keller's contract option.
New Mexico United On January 9, 2026, New Mexico United announced they had signed Keller to a contract for the 2026 USL Championship season.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubLeagueSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalPlayoffsOtherTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsSaint Louis FCUSL20190010———10Austin FCMajor League Soccer20226010———70202370—10—20100Total13010100020170Austin FC II (loan)MLS Next Pro2023160————160FC CincinnatiMajor League Soccer2024160—30—30210FC Cincinnati 2 (loan)MLS Next Pro202420————20Minnesota UnitedMajor League Soccer20250000—000000Minnesota United 2 (loan)MLS Next Pro202580————80New Mexico United (loan)USL Championship202591——30—121Career total64120400050771
Honors Austin FC II MLS Next Pro: 2023
References
External links
Kipp Keller at Saint Louis Billikens Kipp Keller at FC Cincinnati