Jack Maher

Jack Maher is an American defender who plays as a centre-back for Nashville SC in Major League Soccer. Born in 1999, he began his development with Saint Louis FC on an amateur contract in 2017 before joining Indiana University. Maher started all 24 matches as a freshman in 2018, helping Indiana record 15 shutouts, and in 2019 he was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a second-team All-American. Nashville selected him in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, making him the first draft pick in the club’s history. To gain experience, he spent 2020 with Charlotte Independence and 2021 with San Diego Loyal before Nashville recalled him in June 2021. Maher scored his first MLS goal against Toronto FC in his first start after returning and became a regular, making 33 appearances in 2023. He has since remained a key part of Nashville’s defence, contributing aerial strength and composed distribution.