Kenny Nielsen

Against the Portland Timbers on 25 July 2025, in what was his first-team debut for the club, the defender attempted a bicycle kick that struck the crossbar in a 1-0 defeat.

Nielsen's path to Los Angeles ran through college soccer. He began at Saint Louis University before transferring to Georgetown University, where he became a starter and team captain. His senior season there, in 2023, brought Second Team All-American recognition, the Big East Defensive Player of the Year award and a First Team All-Big East selection. Over his college career he scored two goals and added an assist.

LAFC picked him in the second round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, 57th overall, and he joined the club's MLS NEXT Pro side, LAFC2. He made his professional debut there on 6 July 2024 against St. Louis CITY2, and continued to feature regularly for the reserve team while working towards a first-team opportunity.

Since that Portland debut, Nielsen has featured sparingly for LAFC's MLS side, appearing twice in 2025 alongside two starts in the Leagues Cup, while continuing to turn out for LAFC2 in MLS NEXT Pro. He has also represented the United States at youth international level, having come through the U-15 and U-17 age groups before turning professional.