{{Short description|American soccer player (born 1993)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2014}} {{Infobox football biography |name = A. J. Cochran |image = AJ_Cochran.jpg |caption = Cochran in 2014 |full_name = Alec John Cochran |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|2|9}} |birth_place = [[St. Louis, Missouri]], United States |height = 1.91 m |position = [[Defender (association football)|Defender]] |collegeyears1 = 2011–2013 |college1 = [[Wisconsin Badgers men's soccer|Wisconsin Badgers]] |collegecaps1 = 58 |collegegoals1 = 5 |years1 = 2013 |clubs1 = [[Michigan Bucks]] |caps1 = 5 |goals1 = 0 |years2 = 2013 |clubs2 = [[K-W United FC|K-W United]] |caps2 = 3 |goals2 = 0 |years3 = 2014–2015 |clubs3 = [[Houston Dynamo]] |caps3 = 26 |goals3 = 0 |years4 = 2015 |clubs4 = → [[Charleston Battery]] (loan) |caps4 = 2 |goals4 = 0 |years5 = 2016–2017 |clubs5 = [[Saint Louis FC]] |caps5 = 49 |goals5 = 1 |years6 = 2018 |clubs6 = [[Atlanta United 2]] |caps6 = 30 |goals6 = 0 |years7 = 2019–2020 |clubs7 = [[Phoenix Rising FC|Phoenix Rising]] |caps7 = 37 |goals7 = 2 |years8 = 2021–2022 |clubs8 = [[Indy Eleven]] |caps8 = 47 |goals8 = 1 |years9 = 2023 |clubs9 = [[Charleston Battery]] |caps9 = 19 |goals9 = 0 |totalcaps = 218 |totalgoals = 4 |nationalyears1 = 2014 |nationalteam1 = [[United States men's national under-23 soccer team|United States U23]] |nationalcaps1 = 1 |nationalgoals1 = 0 |club-update = October 17, 2023 |nationalteam-update = August 16, 2014 }}
'''Alec John "A. J." Cochran''' (born February 9, 1993) is an American professional [[association football|soccer]] [[defender (association football)|defender]].
== Early life and education == Cochran was born and raised in [[St. Louis|St. Louis, Missouri]]. His parents are Anne and John Cochran and he has one sister. He attended [[Christian Brothers College High School|CBC High School]].<ref name=":0" /> He also played [[baseball]], [[basketball]], and [[American football|football]] as a kid, but his dad encouraged him to focus on soccer.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Statz|first=Lydia|date=|title=Team Player: A. J. Cochran|url=https://onwisconsin.uwalumni.com/contender/team-player-a-j-cochran/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016120437/http://onwisconsin.uwalumni.com:80/contender/team-player-a-j-cochran/ |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=2021-01-30|website=OnWisconsin|language=en-US}}</ref> He attended the [[University of Wisconsin–Madison|University of Wisconsin]].<ref name=":0" />
==Early career== Cochran attended [[Christian Brothers College High School|CBC High School]] in [[St. Louis|St. Louis, Missouri]], where he played on the school soccer team. He helped lead the school to a state championship in his junior year and was an [[United Soccer Coaches|NSCAA]] All-American (and Missouri's [[Gatorade]] player of the year) as a senior.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=AJ Cochran {{!}} Men's Soccer|url=https://uwbadgers.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/aj-cochran/997|access-date=2021-01-30|website=Wisconsin Badgers|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-05-16|title=AJ Cochran, CBC Cadets, Named Missouri Gatorade POY|url=http://sgfsoccer.com/2011/05/16/aj-cochran-cbc-cadets-named-missouri-gatorade-poy/|access-date=2021-01-30|website=SGF Soccer|language=en-US}}</ref> He played for club side [[St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club|St. Louis Scott Gallagher]] as a kid.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Three SLSG Alumni Picked in MLS SuperDraft {{!}} St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club|url=http://www.slsgsoccer.com/three-slsg-alumni-picked-in-mls-superdraft/|access-date=2021-01-30|website=www.slsgsoccer.com}}</ref>
Cochran played three years of [[College soccer in the United States|college soccer]] at the [[University of Wisconsin]] between 2011 and 2013. He helped take the [[Wisconsin Badgers men's soccer|Badgers]] to the [[NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament|NCAA tournament]] his junior year. Accolades he received while at Wisconsin include 2011 [[Big Ten Conference|Big Ten]] All-Freshman team, 2012 and 2013 first team All-Big Ten, and 2013 [[Big Ten Conference Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Year|Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year]]. He was also a 2013 first team NSCAA All-American, the first Badger to be a first team all American since 1995.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=2018 Men's Soccer Record Book (PDF)|url=https://uwbadgers.com/documents/2017/6/20/2018_MSOC_Record_Book.pdf|access-date=2021-01-30|website=Wisconsin Badgers|language=en}}</ref>
While at college, Cochran appeared for [[Premier Development League|PDL]] clubs [[Michigan Bucks]] and [[K-W United FC]] during their 2013 seasons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uslpdl.com/teams/2013/33862327.html#STATS |title=United Soccer Leagues (USL) |publisher=Uslpdl.com |access-date=April 6, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210132617/http://www.uslpdl.com/teams/2013/33862327.html#STATS |archive-date=December 10, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/teams/2013/22344.html#MAIN |title=United Soccer Leagues (USL) |publisher=Pdl.uslsoccer.com |access-date=April 6, 2014 |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220095706/http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/teams/2013/22344.html#MAIN |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Cochran left Wisconsin after his junior season, signing a [[Generation Adidas]] deal with [[Major League Soccer]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=ANDERSON|first=ERIC|date=2014-01-14|title=Center back Cochran off to MLS, UW's first Generation adidas player|url=https://www.wisconsinsoccercentral.com/news_article/show/327391-center-back-cochran-off-to-mls-uw-s-first-generation-adidas-player|access-date=2021-01-30|website=Wisconsin Soccer Central|language=en-us}}</ref>
==Houston Dynamo== On January 16, 2014, Cochran was drafted by [[Houston Dynamo]] in the first-round (16th overall) of the [[2014 MLS SuperDraft]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Ortiz|first=Jose de Jesus|date=January 16, 2014|title=Dynamo select AJ Cochran in first round of MLS SuperDraft – Houston Chronicle|url=http://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/Dynamo-select-AJ-Cochran-in-first-round-of-MLS-5149941.php|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117070137/http://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/Dynamo-select-AJ-Cochran-in-first-round-of-MLS-5149941.php |archive-date=January 17, 2014 |access-date=April 6, 2014|website=|publisher=Chron.com}}</ref> He made his professional debut on April 5, coming off the bench in a 4–1 loss to [[FC Dallas]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=A. J. Cochran 2014 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/3adea0c9/matchlogs/2014/summary/A-J-Cochran-Match-Logs|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}}</ref> During his first pro season, Cochran made 19 MLS appearances as the Dynamo finished 8th in the [[Eastern Conference (MLS)|Eastern Conference]], missing out on the playoffs.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=2014 Major League Soccer Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/708/2014-Major-League-Soccer-Stats|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}}</ref> He also made 2 appearances in the [[U.S. Open Cup]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=USA - A. Cochran - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|url=https://us.soccerway.com/players/alec-john-cochran/332666/matches/|access-date=2021-01-30|website=us.soccerway.com}}</ref>
During the 2015 season, Cochran made 7 MLS appearances as the Dynamo finished 8th in the [[Western Conference (MLS)|Western Conference]] and failed to qualify for the playoffs again.<ref>{{Cite web|title=A. J. Cochran 2015 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/3adea0c9/matchlogs/2015/summary/A-J-Cochran-Match-Logs|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=2015 Major League Soccer Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/1369/2015-Major-League-Soccer-Stats|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}}</ref> In Open Cup play, Cochran played in all 3 of Houston's games as they reached the quarterfinals, where they lost to [[Sporting Kansas City]] 3–1.<ref name=":2" /> He also spent part of the season on loan with [[USL Championship|USL]] club [[Charleston Battery]], where he made 2 appearances.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pedersen|first=Matt|date=May 19, 2015|title=Loan update: Cochran, Rodriguez & Lisch feature for Charleston in two-game weekend|url=https://www.houstondynamofc.com/post/2015/05/19/loan-update-cochran-rodriguez-lisch-feature-charleston-two-game-weekend|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430191833/https://www.houstondynamofc.com/post/2015/05/19/loan-update-cochran-rodriguez-lisch-feature-charleston-two-game-weekend |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |access-date=January 30, 2021|website=Houston Dynamo}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=A. J. Cochran Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/3adea0c9/A-J-Cochran|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}}</ref>
On November 30, 2015, Cochran's contract option was declined by the Dynamo.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=November 30, 2015|title=Houston Dynamo announce roster moves|url=https://www.houstondynamofc.com/post/2015/11/30/houston-dynamo-announce-roster-moves|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509042259/https://www.houstondynamofc.com/post/2015/11/30/houston-dynamo-announce-roster-moves |archive-date=May 9, 2021 |access-date=January 30, 2021|website=Houston Dynamo}}</ref>
==Saint Louis FC== Despite going on trial with the [[Colorado Rapids]] in the 2016 MLS pre-season, where he scored a match winning goal in a friendly against [[Sacramento Republic]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2016/02/13/match-report-sacramento-republic-fc-0-1-colorado-rapids|title=Match Report: Sacramento Republic FC 0-1 Colorado Rapids|date=February 13, 2016}}</ref> Cochran was not offered a contract and signed with [[United Soccer League|USL]] club [[Saint Louis FC]] on March 6, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://saintlouisfc.com/sports/msoc/2016-17/releases/20160306o2p6oy |title=Saint Louis FC Roster Continues to Grow - Saint Louis Football Club |access-date=March 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313154412/http://saintlouisfc.com/sports/msoc/2016-17/releases/20160306o2p6oy |archive-date=March 13, 2016 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> He made his debut for Saint Louis on March 26 in a 1–0 loss to [[Real Monarchs]].<ref name=":2" /> He had 2 assists from 27 appearances during the regular season as Saint Louis finished 14th in the [[Western Conference (USL Championship)|Western Conference]], failing to qualify for the playoffs.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=2016 USL Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/73/1511/2016-USL-Stats|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}}</ref>
Cochran and Saint Louis opened the 2017 season on March 25 with a 0–0 draw against [[Louisville City FC|Louisville City]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=A. J. Cochran 2017 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/3adea0c9/matchlogs/2017/summary/A-J-Cochran-Match-Logs|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}}</ref> On May 17 he scored his first goal for Saint Louis in a 4–3 victory against [[FC Wichita]] in the [[U.S. Open Cup]]. He scored his first league goal for Saint Louis on June 2 in a 2–0 win over [[Toronto FC II]]. Cochran ended the season with 18 USL appearances and 1 goal as Saint Louis missed the playoffs again, finishing 12th in the [[Eastern Conference (USL Championship)|Eastern Conference]].<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=2017 USL Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/73/1583/2017-USL-Stats|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}}</ref>
==Atlanta United 2== On January 24, 2018, Cochran signed with [[Atlanta United 2]] of the [[United Soccer League]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Atlanta United 2 signs four players to inaugural roster|url=https://www.atlutd.com/post/2018/01/24/atlanta-united-2-signs-four-players-inaugural-roster|access-date=January 24, 2018|work=Atlanta United|date=January 24, 2018}}</ref> He made his debut for Atlanta United 2 on March 24, getting the start in a 3–1 win against [[New York Red Bulls II]]. He ended the season with 2 assists from 30 appearances as Atlanta United 2 missed the playoffs after finishing 14th in the [[Eastern Conference (USL Championship)|Eastern Conference]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=A. J. Cochran 2018 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/3adea0c9/matchlogs/2018/summary/A-J-Cochran-Match-Logs|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=2018 USL Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/73/1776/2018-USL-Stats|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}}</ref>
==Phoenix Rising FC== Cochran signed with [[Phoenix Rising FC]] on December 25, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phxrisingfc.com/news_article/show/980039|title=Defender A.J. Cochran Joins Rising FC For 2019|publisher=Phoenix Rising Football Club|date=December 25, 2018|access-date=December 25, 2018}}</ref> He made his debut for Phoenix on March 16 in a 3–3 draw with [[New Mexico United]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=A. J. Cochran 2019 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/3adea0c9/matchlogs/2019/summary/A-J-Cochran-Match-Logs|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}}</ref> Cochran ended the regular season with 24 appearances and 4 assists, helping Phoenix finish top of the [[Western Conference (USL Championship)|Western Conference]].<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=2019 USL Championship Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/73/2799/2019-USL-Championship-Stats|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}}</ref> He played in both of Phoenix's playoff games as they lost to [[Real Monarchs]] in the quarterfinals.<ref name=":5" /> Cochran was named to the 2019 USL Championship All-League Second Team.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=USL Championship Announces 2019 All-League Teams|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1064203|access-date=2021-01-30|website=www.uslchampionship.com|date=November 12, 2019}}</ref>
On August 8, 2020, Cochran scored his first goal for Phoenix in a 5–2 win over New Mexico. He scored again on October 3 in a 4–1 victory against [[LA Galaxy II]]. In a shortened regular season due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Cochran had 2 goals from 13 appearances.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|title=A. J. Cochran 2020 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/3adea0c9/matchlogs/2020/summary/A-J-Cochran-Match-Logs|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}}</ref> He started both of Phoenix's playoff games before the championship game was cancelled after multiple [[Tampa Bay Rowdies]] players and staff tested positive for COVID-19.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=USL Championship Final Cancelled, Season Concludes with Tampa Bay, Phoenix as Conference Title-Winners|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1130727|access-date=2021-01-30|website=www.uslchampionship.com|date=October 31, 2020}}</ref>
==Indy Eleven== Cochran made the move to USL Championship side [[Indy Eleven]] on February 17, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1146825|title=Indy Eleven Bolsters Defensive Corps with Cochran|date=February 17, 2021}}</ref> He earned a place in the USL Team of the Week for Week 31 of the 2022 season after scoring a goal and a solid defensive performance in a 4–1 win over the Charleston Battery.
He was released from his contract by mutual agreement on January 31, 2023. During his two years with the club, he accumulated 47 regular season appearances (39 starts) and scored one goal.
==Charleston Battery== On February 2, 2023, Cochran joined USL Championship side [[Charleston Battery]] for their 2023 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.charlestonbattery.com/news/2023/02/02/battery-sign-veteran-defender-aj-cochran/|title=Battery sign veteran defender AJ Cochran}}</ref>
== Career statistics == {{Updated|January 29, 2021}}<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=AJ Cochran|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/aj-cochran|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116141143/http://www.mlssoccer.com:80/players/aj-cochran |archive-date=January 16, 2014 |access-date=January 29, 2021|website=Major League Soccer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=A. J. Cochran Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/3adea0c9/A-J-Cochran|access-date=2021-01-29|website=FBref.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=USA - A. Cochran - Profile with news, career statistics and history|url=https://us.soccerway.com/players/alec-john-cochran/332666/|access-date=2021-01-29|website=Soccerway}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |+ !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|[[U.S. Open Cup|Open Cup]] !colspan="2"|Playoffs !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="3"|[[Houston Dynamo FC|Houston Dynamo]] |[[2014 Houston Dynamo season|2014]] |rowspan="2"|[[Major League Soccer|MLS]] |19||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||21||0 |- |[[2015 Houston Dynamo season|2015]] |7||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||10||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !26!!0!!5!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!31!!0 |- |[[Charleston Battery]] (loan) |[[2015 USL season|2015]] |[[USL Championship|USL]] |2||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0 |- |rowspan="3"|[[Saint Louis FC]] |[[2016 Saint Louis FC season|2016]] |rowspan="2"|USL |27||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||28||0 |- |[[2017 Saint Louis FC season|2017]] |18||1||3||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||21||2 |- !colspan="2"|Total !45!!1!!4!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!49!!2 |- |[[Atlanta United 2]] |[[2018 Atlanta United 2 season|2018]] |USL |30||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||30||0 |- |rowspan="3"|[[Phoenix Rising FC|Phoenix Rising]] |[[2019 Phoenix Rising FC season|2019]] |rowspan="2"|[[USL Championship|USLC]] |24||0||1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||27||0 |- |[[2020 Phoenix Rising FC season|2020]] |13||2||0||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||15||2 |- !colspan="2"|Total !37!!2!!1!!0!!4!!0!!0!!0!!42!!2 |- !colspan="3"|Career total!!140!!3!!10!!1!!4!!0!!0!!0!!154!!4 |}
== Honors == '''Phoenix Rising''' * [[USL Championship]] Regular Season: [[2019 USL Championship season|2019]]
'''Individual''' * USL Championship All-League Second Team: 2019<ref name=":6" />
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{MLS player|aj-cochran}}
{{DynamoFirstPick}} {{2014 MLS SuperDraft}} {{2013 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer First-Team All-America}} {{Big Ten Conference Men's Soccer Player of the Year navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cochran, A. J.}} [[Category:1993 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:American men's soccer players]] [[Category:American expatriate men's soccer players]] [[Category:Wisconsin Badgers men's soccer players]] [[Category:Flint City Bucks players]] [[Category:K–W United FC players]] [[Category:Houston Dynamo FC players]] [[Category:Charleston Battery players]] [[Category:Saint Louis FC players]] [[Category:Atlanta United 2 players]] [[Category:Phoenix Rising FC players]] [[Category:Indy Eleven players]] [[Category:Men's association football defenders]] [[Category:Soccer players from St. Louis]] [[Category:Houston Dynamo FC draft picks]] [[Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in Canada]] [[Category:USL League Two players]] [[Category:Major League Soccer players]] [[Category:United States men's under-23 international soccer players]] [[Category:All-American college men's soccer players]] [[Category:USL Championship players]] [[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]