Brian Schwake
Brian Oliver Schwake is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club Nashville SC. He formerly played for Scottish Premiership side Livingston, and had loan spells at Edinburgh City and Greenock Morton before signing for Spanish side Castellón in 2023. Schwake transferred to Major League Soccer side Nashville SC on January 23, 2025.
Club career
Signed by Livingston after a freshman college season at DePaul Blue Demons in his native United States. Schwake's first months in Scotland were complicated by the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. He spent a loan spell with Linlithgow Rose in 2020, featuring in their run in the 2020–21 Scottish Cup, and another loan with Edinburgh City in the 2021–22 [Scottish League Two|2021–22 season].
Schwake had a successful 2021–22 season on loan with Edinburgh City. He appeared in 34 league games with 125 saves, second to Craig Gordon for number of saves in the SPFL. He was named to SPFL Team of the Week on August 17, 2021, and again on March 15, 2022. Schwake played a key role in Edinburgh City's promotion to League 1, being named Man of the Match by BBC Alba for his saves in the second leg of the promotion play-off final. Schwake was named to SPFL League 2 Team of the Season for 2021–22.
On June 16, 2022, Livingston announced that Schwake had been loaned to Greenock Morton for the 2022–23 season. He was named to SPFL Team of the Round on 21 July 2022 and SPFL Team of the Week on 22 November 2022. Schwake is "highly accurate in possession, completing 73% of long passes." He ended the season with the joint most clean sheets at 11 and second for most saves. On 29 May 2023, Livingston announced Brian Schwake had been offered terms for a new contract but he declined, ending his tenure with the team.
On August 4, 2023, CD Castellón announced an agreement with Schwake until June 2024. Since moving to Spain, he has been used as a 'cup goalkeeper', appearing only in Copa del Rey matches. Schwake made his debut on October 31, in a 3–2 win after extra time over Cacereño in the first round and another appearance in the second round as Castellón overcame Segunda División side Real Oviedo 2–1 on December 5. In his third Copa del Rey match against La Liga club and the previous season's runners-up Osasuna on January 7, 2024, Schwake made ten saves and was named to Fútbol Total's Team of the Round. On March 1, 2024, CD Castellón announced they reached an agreement to renew the American goalkeeper until 2025.
On January 23, 2025, Castellón announced the transfer of Schwake to Major League Soccer side Nashville SC. Schwake debuted for Nashville SC in the U.S. Open Cup on May 6, 2025, with a victory against Chattanooga Red Wolves. He became the first goalkeeper in club history to keep a clean sheet in his debut. Schwake appeared in all subsequent U.S. Open Cup games. On October 1, 2025, Schwake made his fifth consecutive U.S. Open Cup start for the Boys in Gold, and stopped seven shots to remain undefeated during his first season in Music City. He was named Man of the Match for his performance. With the victory, Schwake became the first goalkeeper in NSC history to win his first five starts with the club.
Personal life
Born in the United States, Schwake is also a citizen of Luxembourg through descent.