Defender
Brian Bliss
5' 8"
The biography of retired USMNT soccer player Brian Bliss who works for The Columbus Crew in MLS.
Caps: 33 | Goals: 2
A veteran of the 1988 Olympics and 1990 World Cup, injury problems denied MLS fans of the kind of play that made Brian Bliss such a factor with the USMNT and a mainstay for five seasons with Carl Zeiss Jena in the second division of the Bundesliga.
Bliss served as the Kansas City Wizards interim coach after spending several years as Bob Gansler’s assistant. He spent six seasons as technical director of the Columbus Crew, including serving as interim head coach in 2013. He left the Crew for the technical director role with the Chicago Fire in Dec, 2013. In 2016, he took the director of player personnel role with Sporting Kansas City. He stayed in that role until June 24, 2024. Bliss became the director of the Columbus Crew academy on June 9, 2025.
Photo by Tony Quinn – ISIPhotos.com
USMNT Experience
1995
Returned to the National Team after limited appearances over two years due to injury. Earned his last cap on June 25th against Colombia, and a part of the squad that won the Copa America.
1990
Member of the 1990 World Cup squad, coming on as a substitute against Italy.
1989
A key part of the US qualifying run, including a start against Trinidad on Nov. 19th when the US clinched a spot in Italia '90.
1988
Member of 1988 Olympic squad.
1987
Got his next call-up as part of the squad that played a series of friendlies in South Korea to prepare for the '88 Olympics.
1984
Earned his first cap against Ecuador on Dec. 2nd.
Professional Experience
2000
Named Bob Gansler's assistant with the Kansas City Wizards, a squad that would in that season's MLS Cup.
1999
First pro coaching job with the Connecticut Wolves.
1998
Picked up in the off season by Kansas City, Bliss would retire early in the season.
1996-97
Member of the Columbus Crew, before being traded to the MetroStars during the '97 season.
1992-96
Transferred to Carl Zeiss Jena in the second Bundesliga where he would spend five seasons.
1991
Signed with Chemnitzer FC
1987-88
Played with the Major Indoor Soccer League's Cleveland Force.
Youth and College
Conference Player of the Year in 1986 for Division II power Southern Connecticut State University.
