Max Trejo

Maximiliano "Max" Trejo (TRAY-hoe) (born April 10, 2002) is a Mexican professional footballer who is the starting goalkeeper for the NCAA Division I (D-I), Big Ten athletic conference member Ohio State Buckeyes men's soccer team.

A native of Mexico City, Mexico, Trejo migrated from Mexico to Miami, Florida, and ultimately landed in Lawrence, Kansas, where he grew up, applied, and was accepted at Sporting Kansas City Academy. This led Trejo to his first appearance as a professional soccer player with Sporting Kansas City II (a team once known as Swope Park Rangers that was a member of the Division II professional soccer league USL Championship (USLC) and is now a member team of Division III pro league team MLS NEXT Pro).

Training and professional play
Trejo was 14 years old when he began training at Sporting Kansas City Academy in 2016 and made his professional goalkeeping debut with Sporting Kansas City II (then known as Swope Park Rangers) in a home match at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas against Bethlehem Steel (later known as Philadelphia Union II) on April 6, 2019, when he was 16 years old. Trejo would go on to start one more match as keeper for the Swope Park Rangers on September 25, 2019, against Loudon United FC at Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia. Trejo then continued his career by joining Kaw Valley FC.

2021
Trejo accepted an offer from Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, to become a student-athlete, major in sport industry, and play for the Buckeyes men's soccer team. The team's head coach Brian Maisonneuve described Trejo as "an excellent goalkeeper," noting Trejo's "organizational skills are great and he gives confidence to his entire back line. He will have a great collegiate career and more." However, Trejo did not appear in a match during the 2021 season as a freshman and was redshirted.

2022
Trejo was a redshirt freshman for the 2022 Buckeyes men's soccer season, and on September 13, 2022, Trejo served as starting goalkeeper for the Buckeyes making his D-1 debut in a match at the University of Akron with the Buckeyes pulling out a 3–3 draw. In Trejo's second start at keeper, against the eventual 2022 NCAA national champion runner-up, Indiana University, on September 18, 2022, the Buckeyes won the match 2–1 earning Trejo the first victory of his D-1 career and his first home victory at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium (JOMS) In Trejo's third starting appearance, the match ended in a nil-nil draw at Cleveland State University on September 21, 2022, earning Trejo the first shutout of his D-1 career. In Trejo's fourth consecutive start and his final appearance as keeper for the season, the then #13 Ohio State men's soccer team played against the then #9 men's soccer team, the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland, falling 0–1 from a second half Maryland goal on September 25, 2022. Trejo's official D-I keeping record for the 2022 season had him with 3 saves in 4 appearances (all 3 saves against ranked opponents) and he stood at 1 win, 1 loss, and 2 draws (1–1–2).

2023
Trejo is the starting goalkeeper for the 2023 Buckeyes men's soccer season and a redshirt sophomore. The team played two pre-season home exhibition matches against the University of Oakland on August 15, 2023, and the University of Dayton on August 19, 2023. The first match of the 2023 Buckeyes men's soccer season, and Trejo's first official appearance as the team's starting goalkeeper, was a home contest on August 24, 2023, versus California State University – Northridge (CSUN). The Buckeyes began the season unranked in the pre-season D-1 United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll. However, Big Ten men's soccer head coaches project the Buckeyes to finish their season as the third best team in the conference (behind #1 Maryland and #2 Indiana) in the Big Ten pre-season men's soccer poll. Trejo is "super excited" and positive regarding the 2023 season, hopeful to be "getting a ring" this season with the team "winning the (Big Ten) conference, maybe winning the (Big Ten) tournament as well."

August 24, 2023, Match 1 (Wolstein Classic) vs. California State University – Northridge Matadors (CSUN) in Columbus at JOMS: In the Buckeyes season opener and Trejo's first official appearance as the team's starting goalkeeper, Trejo had one save and the Buckeyes led 1–0 late in the second half. However, with 0:20 to go in the match on a free kick, a CSUN player scored and the match ended in a draw, 1–1. Trejo began (Season at 0–0–1) (Big Ten '23 0–0–0) (D-I career 1–1–3).
 * Trejo highlights: (approximate on screen match clock): 1ST HALF: (12:04) Leaping catch | 2ND HALF: (42:12) SAVE 1 of 1.
 * An announcer on the live stream described Trejo as "quick on his feet" and "lightning in a bottle."
 * Match time temperature was 92 °F (33.3 °C) with a heat index of over 100 °F (37.7 °C).

August 27, 2023, Match 2 (Wolstein Classic) vs. University of California – Davis Aggies (UC Davis) in Columbus at JOMS: In his fourth year, #1 Peter Van Euwen played in his first match, his first home match, and got his first start at keeper for the Buckeyes. Van Euwen and Trejo are sharing starting keeper duties for the early part of the season. The Buckeyes fell to UC Davis on two unanswered goals, 2–1.

September 1, 2023, Match 3 (IU Classic) vs. Seton Hall University Pirates at the Indiana University Bloomington (IU) soccer facility in Bloomington, Indiana, Bill Armstrong Stadium: In the only match of the season in which the Ohio State men's soccer team will not be featured on live streaming nor carried on cable TV, Trejo returned as the starting keeper. Ohio State and Seton Hall combined for 21 fouls and four yellow cards. And despite taking 9 shots and 5 corners, the Buckeyes did not score. Trejo once again made an early save in the second half, as he did against California State University – Northridge (CSUN) in the season opener; however, a Seton Hall player scored late in the second half (as CSUN did in the season opener). Seton Hall prevailed, nil to 1—Trejo was at (Season 0–1–1) (Big Ten ’23 0–0–0) (D-I Career 1–2–3).

September 4, 2023, Match 4 (IU Classic) vs. #22 University of Washington Huskies (UWASH) in Columbus at JOMS: Trejo returned at goal, and this was his first match as a D-I keeper broadcast live before a national cable TV audience via the Big Ten Network. This was an exciting home Labor Day match between the Buckeyes and their future Big Ten conference foe, the #22 ranked University of Washington Huskies. Trejo was in professional form, as he punched away and caught numerous UWASH strikes throughout the contest at one point doing a complete flip after contact with another player in defense of the Buckeyes goal. He recorded a D-I career-high four saves. Throughout most of the contest, Trejo prevented UWASH from having any realistic opportunity to score. It was only until late in the second half that Washington found the back of the net with an unusual goal. The Buckeyes had scored in the 60' and the match ended in a draw, 1–1—Trejo stood at (Season 0–1–2)(Big Ten ’23 0–0–0)(D-I Career 1–2–4).
 * Trejo highlights (Approximate on screen match clock): 2ND HALF: (33:42) Leaping flip and punch; (31:06) SAVE 1 of 4; (26:47) Leaping grab; (19:56) Washington offsides – negated save; (17:46) Leaping catch; (7:04) Leaping punch; (5:45–5:33) SAVE 2 of 4, Washington goal; (3:00) SAVE 3 of 4; (2:06) SAVE 4 of 4.
 * Nine Ohio State players were suffering injuries (some players out for the season) and were unable to play as of September 4, 2023. Included on the injured list were Buckeye standouts Nathan Demian, Owen Sullivan, and Deylen Vellios.
 * Match time temperature was 87 °F (30.5 °C) with a heat index of 91 °F (32.7 °C).

September 9, 2023, Match 5 at Butler University Bulldogs at the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl in Indianapolis, Indiana: Two rarely occurring instances happened during this contest: 1) A Trejo miscue (that turned out to be negligible) and 2) A Trejo injury causing him to leave the match. Trejo is one of the most athletic and dynamic keepers in all of D-I soccer, so to see him leave a match is concerning. Trejo did manage to record a save before #1 Peter Van Euwen entered the match and relieved Trejo in the 39' in the first half. Van Euwan held strong for the remainder of the contest and picked up the win. The Buckeyes dominated Butler during the entire match and finally scored a late goal. Ohio State earned its first win of the 2023 season, 1–0. Trejo remained at: (Season 0–1–2)(Big Ten ’23 0–0–0)(D-I Career 1–2–4).
 * At 10:10 on the video clock—Many great sports athletes have pre performance routines as Trejo does.
 * Trejo highlights: (Approximate on screen match clock): 1ST HALF: (34:53) Rare miscue by Trejo; (34:00) Leaping catch; (26:20) Stop by Trejo. SAVE 1 of 1. Opposing player inadvertently makes contact with Trejo; (5:36) Trejo appears in pain, leaves the match, and Van Euwan enters for the remainder of the contest.
 * This victory was Ohio State's first victory since it defeated Wake Forest University 3–0 in the first round of the NCAA College Cup playoffs on 11/17/2022.
 * The Buckeyes beat Butler exactly one year ago from the date of this match (09/09/2022) at JOMS, 2–0.
 * This is the first match in Trejo's D-I career in which he had to withdraw from a contest.

September 15, 2023, Match 6 (Latino Heritage/Buckeye Inclusion Night) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions in Columbus at JOMS, B1G (Big Ten) match: Trejo did not play in this contest as Peter Van Euwan was at goal for the Buckeyes. Penn State keeper, the highly lauded Kris Shakes put on a goalkeeping clinic earning a shutout victory with six saves. It was Latino Heritage night at JOMS and one Ohio State player celebrated in the 30' by suddenly pushing a Nittany Lions player to ground, receiving a red card (getting ejected), and leaving the Buckeyes down one player for the rest of the match. A Penn State player earned a hat-trick and the Buckeyes fell 3-nil.
 * Latino Heritage: While he spent most of his childhood and teen years growing up in Kansas, Trejo being born in Mexico City, Mexico gives him dual citizenship in both Mexico and the United States.
 * Trejo's first match starting as a professional goalkeeper for the then Swope Park Rangers (now Sporting Kansas City II) on April 6, 2019, was against the then Bethlehem Steel (now Philadelphia Union II). On the bench for Bethlehem Steel for that match was future Penn State Nittany Lions goalkeeper, Kris Shakes.

September 19, 2023, Match 7 vs. #24 University of Kentucky Wildcats (UK) in Columbus at JOMS: In one of his finest D-I matches to date, Trejo returned for this non-conference tilt against the #24 University of Kentucky. Any indication of an injury Trejo suffered in a contest against Butler University was non-existent, as Trejo's play versus UK was one of his classic athletic, dynamic, and commanding performances. Trejo had three saves in the second half, including one save on a penalty kick. The Buckeyes were relentless on offense in the first half. In the second half, the Buckeyes exploded on offense, scoring three goals. The match was the Buckeyes best match of the season and Ohio State head coach Brian Maisonneuve earned the 30th victory of his Ohio State coaching career. The Buckeyes were victorious over UK, nil-3. Trejo elevated to: (Season 1–1–2)(Big Ten ’23 0-0-0)(D-I Career 2–2–4).

September 24, 2023, Match 8 at #13 Northwestern University Wildcats (NU) at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois, B1G match: On a day of pleasant weather just off the shore of Lake Michigan, the Buckeyes faced undefeated Northwestern University. While Ohio State had some spectacular shots at the NU net, only two shots scored for the Buckeyes with one being on a penalty kick. Northwestern is undefeated for a reason, as Trejo surrendered a D-I career high four goals in the match, but did pick up a save and an assist. At no time did Trejo lose his composure, professionalism, or decrease his effort or intensity during the entire contest. Northwestern won 2–4. Trejo fell to: (Season 1–2–2)(Big Ten '23 0–1–0)(D-I Career 2–3–4).
 * Trejo highlights (Approximate on screen match clock): 1ST HALF: (11:00) Trejo block | 2ND HALF: (43:46) SAVE 1 of 3 Trejo diving to the right; (31:45) Trejo diving and scooping ball; (23:37) SAVE 2 of 3 Penalty Kick—Trejo diving block and relentless follow up; (15:56) Trejo block; (13:27) SAVE 3 of 3 Trejo catching ball and falling on it.
 * Trejo picked up his first victory of the 2023 season and earned the second shutout of his D-I career.
 * Buckeyes head coach Maisonneuve said in a pre match interview that Trejo is a "great game manager" and a "field general."
 * As of the conclusion of this match, Trejo has played 398 minutes and 57 seconds this season. He has an impressive goals against average of 0.68 (well under 1.00 goal per match) with 10 saves and a save percentage of 0.769 (0.75 and higher is considered elite).
 * Trejo wore his neon green kit.

September 29, 2023, Match 9 at Rutgers University Scarlet Knights (RU) at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, New Jersey, B1G match: A mere hour away from grand, iconic American landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, and Tony Soprano's house lay Yurcak Field, the home field of University of Rutgers soccer. Ohio State visited and at goal for the Buckeyes, a man more accustomed to being outside Manhattan, Kansas, than Manhattan, New York, Max Trejo. In a downpour that lasted nearly the entire match and that would cause many keepers to succumb to errors, Trejo appeared confident and in command as he utilized a combination of sheer talent and relentless intensity as he held RU scoreless during the match. This match was one of Trejo's most athletic and impressive performances, start to finish, of his D-I career, as he took away numerous RU opportunities to score, at times venturing well outside of the keeper's box to do so. Trejo picked up two saves and the win and the Buckeyes picked up a desperately needed Big Ten victory, 2-nil. Trejo elevated to: (Season 2–2–2)(Big Ten '23 1–1–0)(D-I Career 3–3–4).
 * Trejo highlights (Approximate on screen match clock): 1ST HALF: ASSIST 1 of 1 (21:10) Long Trejo kick to scorer.; (3:48) Trejo ball punch | 2ND HALF: (36:23) Trejo leaping catch; (12:00) SAVE 1 of 1 Trejo leaping catch.
 * This was Trejo's second career match that was broadcast live before a national cable TV audience via the Big Ten Network.
 * Trejo earned the first assist of his D-I career.
 * Trejo's height is listed at 6'2" (1.87 m) but his actual height is between 6'2.5" (1.89 m) and 6'3" (1.90 m). Trejo's weight is listed at 165 lbs (74.84 kg). Thus, Trejo has a near perfect BMI of 20.6 with a highly athletic 7.0% BFP. These figures help explain Trejo's quickness, flexibility, and his impressive leaping ability.
 * Trejo wore his neon green kit.

October 3, 2023, Match 10 (Connor Senn Match) vs. Xavier University Musketeers (XU) in Columbus at JOMS: Peter Van Euwan was at goal as Trejo had the evening off, and Van Euwan held his own throughout the contest and performed well earning 2 saves and his first D-1 shutout (teammate Deylen Vellios had a remarkable save himself). In a defensive, back-and-forth, penalty-riddled match (both teams combined for 34 fouls), the Buckeyes had numerous good shots—including one that missed inches outside the right post and one that missed inches outside the left post—with the addition of 7 corner opportunities. No shots landed for Ohio State. However, neither did any shots land for XU. The match ended in a nil-nil draw.
 * Trejo highlights (and there were a lot of them) (Approximate on screen match clock): 1ST HALF: (31:14) Fingertip block; (27:18) Ball off the post; (22:35) Ball off to the right; (8:15) SAVE 1 of 2 Fingertip save; (6:30) Leaves keeper's box to clear an attack | 2ND HALF: (41:55) Shot over the goal; (30:06) Shot wide left; (27:05) Leaves keeper's box to clear; (12:54) Leaping grab; (11:10) Corner kick, falls on top of ball; (9:35) Dives to shield ball; (9:28) SPORTSMANSHIP Trejo checks on an opposing player who was injured; (9:28) Camera focuses on Trejo for over 20 seconds (1:58:25 on video clock); (8:56) Diving stop; (2:42) SAVE 2 of 2 Batted ball down and fell on it; (1:50) Leap to catch shot then diving on ball.
 * Trejo earned his first Big Ten win of the season. His first Big Ten road victory of his D-I career. And the third shut out of his D-I career.
 * The camera once again showed Trejo doing his pre performance routine in which he appeared to be conjuring. (10:17 on the video clock)

October 6, 2023, Match 11 (Alumni Day) vs. University of Michigan Wolverines (UMICH) in Columbus at JOMS, B1G match: The Buckeyes hosted their mortal sports enemy, the Michigan Wolverines. It was homecoming weekend and the annual alumni day for Ohio State men's soccer. Trejo returned as starting keeper and he enjoyed a quiet first half as most of the action occurred on the UMICH side of the field. The second half for Trejo was a little more hectic but he held strong, and once again, most of the action occurred on the UMICH side of the field. Despite several good shots, none landed for the Buckeyes. The Wolverines were held scoreless and Ohio State earned its third straight shutout and its second straight draw, nil-nil. Trejo picked up a save and earned the fourth shutout of his 12 D-I career starts. Trejo is at: (Season 2–2–3)(Big Ten '23 1–1–1)(D-I Career 3–3–5).

October 10, 2023, Match 12 at # 21 University of Louisville Cardinals (UL) at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky: The Ohio State men's soccer team journeyed down south to take on the #21 team in the land, the Louisville Cardinals (who by the start of the match had dropped out of the Top 25 soccer rankings). It was a "frenetic" contest (according to the match announcers). Far more action occurred in the Buckeyes half of the pitch than usual. Trejo, at goal, was challenged early and often by UL during the first half, facing 5 shots, relinquishing a goal, and picking up a save. The second half was much of the same as the match continued its frenetic pace mostly in the Buckeyes half of the field. Louisville, at times had a relentless, smothering press that was challenging for Ohio State to break. However, with about 8' remaining in the match, the Buckeyes caught fire and tied the match with two late goals and almost scored a third to win it. Trejo faced heavy bombardment by the Cardinals for most of second half and was kept busy facing 13 shots (18 total), surrendered a penalty kick goal (missed the block by just a couple of inches on a dive), and picked up an additional 3 saves (4 total). The match ended in a 2–2 draw, the team's third straight draw. Trejo is at: (Season 2–2–4)(Big Ten '23 1–1–2)(D-I Career 3–3–6).
 * Trejo highlights (Approximate on screen match clock): 1ST HALF: (23:12) Leaping catch; (22:03) Dive | 2ND HALF: (34:19) SAVE 1 of 1 Catch and fall on ball; (19:20) Jump and catch; (14:50) Diving catch.
 * The contest featured spectacular fall playing weather, a large crowd, and even the band performing in the stands throughout the match.
 * Once again, the camera showed Trejo doing his pre performance routine. (15:50 on the video clock)
 * Trejo was nattily clad and looking fine in a light gray kit with black stripes going down the sides of the jersey starting beneath the sleeves to the bottom of the jersey with light gray shorts with black stripes on the sides to match the jersey.


 * Trejo highlights (and once again there were a lot of them)(Approximate on screen match clock): 1ST HALF: (30:55) Punched ball off corner kick to clear; (30:30) Scooped up ball; (27:44) Scored upon but maintained composure GOAL; (14:05) Slide blocked shot; (4:00) Jump catch; (2:35) SAVE 1 OF 4 Blocked shot on knees | 2ND HALF: (42:40) Jump catch; (37:55) SAVE 2 OF 4 Block; (35:50) SAVE 3 OF 4 Incredible block off foot; (32:00) OFFSIDES LU Dive on Ball; (31:05) Races out of keeper's box to catch ball; (29:41) SAVE 4 0F 4 Dive right hand save; (20:31) Just missed penalty kick GOAL.
 * Trejo was recognized in the October 10, 2023 edition of Buckeye Spotlight for the outstanding job he had done in holding  opponents scoreless in his previous two outings. Trejo was also recognized in the September 27, 2022 edition of Buckeye Spotlight the season before for the four matches he started.
 * Trejo tied his D-I career single match high of 4 saves.
 * The University of Louisville Drum Line played incessantly during the match. Just, incessantly.
 * This match streamed on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX) and began with the announcers praising the Buckeyes goalkeeping and featured Trejo at the top of the broadcast with a graphic of his successes during his last two matches (1:50-2:20 on video clock). Throughout the match, the match announcers gave Trejo a lot of praise and he was given a fair amount of camera time as well (39:00-37:45 on screen match clock). The camera loves him. It is great to have supreme athletic talent and a model's good looks.
 * UL's home stadium, Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium, will be the site of the 2023 NCAA D-I Men's Soccer College Cup.

Philosophy on performance and teammates
Trejo states regarding his four appearances as starting keeper for the Buckeyes in 2022 during an injury to Ohio State starting GK, former University of Notre Dame men's soccer GK, and 2022 Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year, Keagan McLaughlin, "I had to step up for the guys." ... "At the start of the season, we were really cruising along, and I knew I needed to fill a big role, especially with Keagan out, and I really just focused into the spot. I was working really hard over the summer, and I just took the opportunity with both hands, and I just kept it with me."

Buckeyes head men's soccer coach Maisonneuve, speaking of Trejo's skills and attitude, especially during his four starts as starting keeper for the Buckeyes during the 2022 season said, "We saw him at Kansas City, and we knew what he was all about." ... "Great shot stopper and just has a really mature and professional manner about him. I mean, you saw how he stepped in and just filled in Keagan's shoes, and then you know, just the way he presents himself and he holds himself."

McLaughlin, says of Trejo, his successor as starting keeper, "He brings it everyday." ... "He's got an edge, which, like I said, he brings it every day to training and it keeps me sharp. And all I'll say is the Ohio State goalkeeping unit is in good hands for the future."

Trejo states regarding his teammates, "They always want to push you, no matter what." ... "You drop a ball and they tell you to keep going. They won't ever bring you down. We always just want the best for ourselves in our teammates, even though we are competing for just one spot. At the end of the day, whoever gets it deserves it, and all you can do is just praise them and tell them they're doing a good job."

Personal life and interests
Trejo is a world traveler, Ohio State Scholar Athlete (2022, 2023), Academic All-Big Ten Athlete (2022), social media creator, and a male fashion model who has worked in New York City, Los Angeles, and Paris. Trejo has stated that he enjoys playing Xbox with his friends, that his favorite sport behind soccer is golf, that he is a fan of Formula 1 racing and that his favorite professional football club is Manchester United. As for Trejo's favorite professional goalkeeper, he is a fan of Spain national team keeper, David de Gea.