While many American soccer fans are familiar with the recent successes of Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, another American has been finding success in Germany. Kenneth Kronholm is an American goalkeeper that plays for Holstein Kiel, a small club located in the northern part of Germany. Having just been promoted from the 3. Liga (the German third division) this past season, Kiel have enjoyed a fantastic first half of the season and currently find themselves in second place in the 2. Bundesliga, only one point back from first place Fortuna Düsseldorf. A major factor in Kiel’s success this season has been the play of Kronholm. The 6’2” goalkeeper has featured in the starting lineup for every game his team has played this season and is currently tied for third in the 2. Bundesliga with five clean sheets. Kiel will look to rely on their American shot-stopper over the second half of the season as they look to gain promotion to the Bundesliga, for the first time since 1963. Kenneth Kronholm was born in Fort Belvoir, Virginia but spent most of his youth living in the Palatinate region outside of Heidelberg, Germany. While he was a gifted handball player in his early childhood, he eventually decided to focus on soccer around the age of 12. When he was 18, Kronholm was signed by VFL Wolfsburg’s youth academy, however he was never considered a valuable prospect in the club’s mind and failed to find game time for their reserve team. Over the next six years, Kronholm bounced around with seven different teams, mostly residing in the third, fourth, or fifth divisions of German soccer. During this period, he often worked to gain trials with different teams in Germany and England. These trials helped him remain relevant in the mind’s of personnel at several clubs, and they eventually led to an opportunity for him to play at Hansa Rostock in 2008. Kenneth made his official professional debut at the age of 27, playing for SV Elversberg, a team at the time in the 3. Liga, during the 2013/2014 season. Elversberg were impressed with his performance and during that season he served as the team’s first choice goalkeeper. Unfortunately, Elversberg were relegated at the end of season but Holstein Kiel swooped in and signed the American up. Right from the start at Kiel, Kronholm served as the team’s starting goalkeeper. His play during the 2014/2015 3. Liga season, 18 clean sheets in 38 games, helped propel his team to the promotion playoffs where Kiel lost on a late game winner in extra time. The next season was not as nice to the American though as he tore his ACL in preseason and was forced to miss the entire season. Holstein Kiel and Kenneth finally experienced the success they were seeking in the 2016/2017 season where the team finished second in the 3. Liga but gained automatic promotion to the 2. Bundesliga.
While Kronholm’s play has been excellent this season, it is very unlikely he will get called up to the USMNT in the future, due to the prioritization of younger talent. Despite this, it is still exciting to see a player with American roots experiencing success in Germany. Hopefully next season there will be one more American plying his trade in the Bundesliga! Article by Austin Van Treuren
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