K. Hiebert’s Secret Superpower: How St. Louis City’s #22 Turns Ordinary Tackles into Comedy Gold
Every team needs a defender who can hold things together at the back, and that’s exactly what K. Hiebert does for St. Louis City SC as their reliable #22. He made his mark at Missouri State, where he earned a reputation as one of the toughest defenders in the Missouri Valley Conference. After that, he brought the same steady presence into the pro game. K. Hiebert has become a key piece for St. Louis City SC by mixing reliability, versatility, and leadership out on the pitch.
His story? It’s pretty compelling. He wasn’t drafted. Instead, he worked his way up through St. Louis CITY2, showing what he could do in MLS NEXT Pro before finally breaking into the MLS starting lineup. That kind of journey takes grit and skill—no wonder coaches trust him at both the club and international level.
Now, he’s making an impression with Canada’s national team, too. His defensive awareness and ability to play anywhere across the backline led to call-ups for big tournaments. When you look at his path—from Missouri State to CITY2 to St. Louis City SC—you see a defender who doesn’t back down from a challenge.
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Profile of K. Hiebert
You notice a player who’s grown with every step, from college to the pros. His background, style, and role with St. Louis City SC give you a sense of why he’s become a dependable defender for both club and country.
Personal Background
Kyle Hiebert was born July 30, 1997, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He started out in the Canadian soccer system before heading to college in the U.S.
At Missouri State University, he stood out right away. He won Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year three times in a row. He also became a two-time finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, the top honor in college soccer.
Jumping to Major League Soccer didn’t happen overnight. He joined St. Louis CITY2 in 2022 and played every single match in the regular season. That kind of reliability earned him a first-team contract with St. Louis City SC in 2023.
By 2024, he hit another milestone and got called up to the Canadian men’s national team for tournaments like Copa America. From Winnipeg to the international stage, he’s put in the work.
Position and Playing Style
Hiebert plays center-back, but he can slide across the backline if needed. His value lies in his versatility and smart positioning more than just raw speed or strength.
He reads the game well—stepping into passing lanes and cutting off attacks before they get going. He’s strong in the air, which helps on set pieces at both ends.
Rather than just diving into tackles, Hiebert relies on anticipation and organization. That fits St. Louis City SC’s organized defensive system. He talks a lot on the field, keeping the backline tight, especially when the pressure ramps up.
When you watch him, you rarely see him dive in or get caught out. He uses smart timing and awareness to win the ball cleanly. That kind of discipline keeps mistakes to a minimum and helps the team stay in control.
Key Stats (2022–2024):
| Season | Club | Matches Played | Goals | Honors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | St. Louis CITY2 | 24 | 2 | MLS NEXT Pro Best XI |
| 2023 | St. Louis City SC | 26 | 0 | Signed new MLS contract |
| 2024 | St. Louis City SC | 28 | 1 | Copa America roster selection |
Jersey Number and Role
Hiebert wears 22 for St. Louis City SC. That number has become part of his identity as he’s gone from the second team to a regular starter.
For fans, #22 means stability at the back. Seeing that number on the field, you know you’re getting a defender who values structure and consistency.
He does more than just break up attacks. He links the goalkeeper and midfield, often starting plays with short, accurate passes. That calmness helps the team build out from the back without panicking.
With his growth at the club and his Canadian national team call-ups, #22 now stands for his steady climb. For St. Louis City SC, he’s more than just a squad guy—he’s a core part of their defense.
You recognize him as a defender who blends reliability, discipline, and adaptability, all while wearing that jersey number with real professionalism.
St. Louis City SC Career
You can see how a defender’s journey shapes a new club’s identity. Kyle Hiebert’s rise from college standout to MLS starter shows that steady play, timely contributions, and contract security matter for both the player and the team. His Missouri State experience set the stage for his next steps in St. Louis.
Joining St. Louis City SC
Hiebert joined St. Louis CITY2 in 2022 after a decorated run at Missouri State, where he became the first Missouri Valley Conference player to win Defensive Player of the Year three times in a row. That success made him a natural fit for a club building from scratch.
In his first pro season, he started all 24 matches for CITY2. His consistency helped the team win the MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference and take the Frontier Division Championship. He even chipped in with two goals, including a game-winner against Salt Lake City.
By 2023, he moved up to the first team for their inaugural MLS season. That step reflected his consistency and ability to anchor a back line against tougher competition.
Key Matches and Performances
Hiebert’s early MLS games included tests against big teams like LAFC and Atlanta United. Those matches really pushed his positioning and composure, especially facing some of the league’s top attackers.
He proved his worth in tight situations, stepping up when injuries or squad rotations meant the team needed a steady hand. He read the game well and won aerial duels, giving St. Louis a reliable central defender.
Check out some of his key numbers across competitions:
| Season | Competition | Matches Played | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | MLS NEXT Pro | 24 | 2 | 0 | 2,160 |
| 2023 | MLS Regular Season | 25+ | 0 | 1 | 2,000+ |
These stats show how often he’s available and effective, even if he’s not making headlines every week.
Contract and Club Impact
In 2023, St. Louis gave Hiebert a multi-year contract running through 2026, with a club option for 2027. That deal showed just how much the front office values what he brings, both on and off the pitch.
For a guy who once thought about becoming a certified public accountant, this contract marks a big commitment to his soccer career. By signing long term, he brought the club stability, and he got some security in a tough league.
His presence set a standard for CITY2 players coming up. His story proves that steady play, patience, and adaptability can turn a developmental signing into a first-team regular at St. Louis City SC.
Achievements and Honors
You see a player whose career path is all about steady progress, built on consistent performances in college and as a pro. His honors stretch from top college awards to league recognition that highlights his defensive reliability.
MLS NEXT Pro Best XI
If you’re following Kyle Hiebert’s rise, making the MLS NEXT Pro Best XI in 2022 really stands out. He joined St. Louis CITY2 and quickly became a central piece of their backline. His game-reading and ability to organize teammates earned him a spot among the league’s best.
That Best XI honor matters because it put him with the top players in MLS NEXT Pro, a league meant to bridge the gap to MLS. For a player just out of Missouri State, this showed he was ready for the next level.
Key Contributions in 2022
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 25 |
| Minutes | 2,200+ |
| Goals | 2 |
| Clean Sheets Contributed | 9 |
This moment carried weight. It was about trust—coaches trusted him with responsibility, and the league recognized his consistency.
Defensive Player of the Year Awards
At Missouri State, Hiebert’s defensive record spoke for itself. He won Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year three times, which is rare for any college player. That didn’t happen by accident—it came from disciplined positioning, tough tackling, and real leadership.
You can measure his impact by looking at team results. Missouri State won multiple conference titles and posted some of the lowest goals-against numbers in the league while he was there. His presence gave the Bears a solid foundation every season.
Winning the award year after year showed more than just talent. It showed durability and consistency—qualities that set long-term pros apart from short-term standouts.
MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist
The MAC Hermann Trophy is the biggest individual honor in college soccer, and Hiebert’s spot as a finalist put him in elite company. Defenders rarely get this nod, since the award usually goes to attacking players.
The way he got there matters. Missouri State’s program got national attention, in part, because of his play. He anchored a defense that ranked among the NCAA’s best, and his leadership showed up in ways stats can’t always capture.
Being named a finalist meant he was seen as one of the top three players in the country. That tells you just how rare his college career was, and why his move to MLS felt like the obvious next step.
St. Louis City2 and MLS NEXT Pro Journey
Kyle Hiebert’s early pro career was all about consistency, durability, and steady development. His time with St. Louis CITY2 in MLS NEXT Pro gave him a chance to prove himself against solid competition and helped the club earn some credibility right out of the gate.
Inaugural Season Highlights
Coming out of Missouri State, Hiebert didn’t get drafted. Instead, he signed with St. Louis CITY2 in 2022 and became a fixture in the lineup from day one. He started every regular season match and played nearly every minute.
His reliability stood out at Ralph Korte Stadium. Hiebert anchored the back line with the same defensive instincts that made him a two-time Hermann Trophy finalist. Coaches trusted him in both central and wide defensive roles, which gave the team more options.
These performances earned him a spot on the MLS NEXT Pro Best XI—not bad for a first-year pro. Not many defenders in the league matched his mix of stability and leadership under pressure.
Key Stats (2022 MLS NEXT Pro with CITY2):
| Matches Started | Minutes Played | Goals | Assists | Best XI Selection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 2,426 | 3 | 0 | Yes |
Frontier Division Championship
CITY2’s 2022 run really turned heads. They capped it off by winning the Frontier Division Championship and finishing first in the MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference. Hiebert played a huge part in that. When he was in the lineup, the team found a defensive foundation that let others attack with confidence.
He faced rivals like Sporting KC II and kept their attacks quiet, helping CITY2 control the tempo. Hiebert read the game well and cut out passes before they became real threats.
That division title proved CITY2 could compete right away. For Hiebert, it felt like validation—his journey from undrafted player to a pro starter actually mattered for a winning team.
Notable Goals and Matches
Defense came first for him, but Hiebert chipped in with some clutch goals too. He scored three times in 2022, which is pretty impressive for a center back.
Most of those goals came from set pieces, where he used his positioning and aerial skills to give CITY2 another option.
One of his top games was against Salt Lake City’s MLS NEXT Pro side. He not only locked things down defensively but also scored a goal that secured points.
Sometimes, his goals changed the momentum, putting CITY2 ahead in tough matches.
Every contribution helped build his reputation as more than just a steady defender. He showed he could shape games at both ends, which carried weight when he moved up to St. Louis CITY SC.
For someone who went undrafted, these moments really marked the start of a pro career built on reliability, versatility, and results.
Collegiate Career at Missouri State
Kyle Hiebert’s foundation took shape at Missouri State University. He became a fixture on the back line, and honestly, his years in Springfield really showed how much he grew as a leader.
He dominated in the Missouri Valley Conference, and his development stood out.
Missouri State University Experience
At Missouri State, Hiebert turned into one of the most reliable defenders the program’s ever seen. He captained the Bears for four seasons, which is rare and says a lot about his consistency and impact on teammates.
He started almost every match he could. That kind of durability and discipline is hard to find.
Off the field, he balanced academics with soccer and got recognized for his work in the classroom.
Hiebert even reached the MAC Hermann Trophy semifinals twice, which is wild for a defender. That award usually goes to attacking players, so it really highlights his influence.
Notable Achievements at MSU
- Four-year team captain
- Two-time MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist
- Consistent starter across multiple seasons
Missouri Valley Conference Success
In the Missouri Valley Conference, Hiebert just kept dominating. He became the first player in league history to win three straight Defensive Player of the Year awards. That’s not something you see every day.
His Missouri State teams won three regular-season MVC titles in a row. He organized the back line and limited opponents, giving the Bears a strong foundation every year.
The numbers back it up:
| Season | MVC Title | Defensive Player of the Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Yes | Yes |
| 2020 | Yes | Yes |
| 2021 | Yes | Yes |
Hiebert’s run in the conference locked in his place as one of the most decorated players in Missouri State soccer history.
International Experience
Hiebert’s growth didn’t stop with club play. He adapted to the international stage, and that’s not easy. His journey from Missouri State to representing Canada shows steady development and a lot of trust from national team coaches.
Canada National Team Call-Ups
Hiebert’s first senior call-up stands out when you look at his rise. After he impressed with St. Louis CITY SC in 2023, the Canada men’s national team gave him a shot. John Herdman, the former head coach, brought him in and liked that he could play both centrally and at fullback.
His path was pretty unusual. He went undrafted in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, then climbed up through St. Louis CITY2 before making it in Major League Soccer. That persistence didn’t go unnoticed by Canada’s staff—they valued his versatility and reliability.
His inclusion proved Canada’s player pool is open to late bloomers. For fans of Canadian soccer, it’s a reminder that international chances can come from consistent league play, not just big transfers or early draft picks.
Key details from his first call-up:
- Year: 2023
- Competition: Concacaf Nations League squad selection
- Position: Center back, also used at fullback
- Background: Missouri State graduate, 3x MVC Defensive Player of the Year
CONCACAF Nations League Participation
Hiebert finally got his first taste of international competition in the Concacaf Nations League. You saw him join Canada’s squad during the 2023 campaign—a tournament that’s become pretty important for Concacaf nations looking for steady, high-level games.
He walked into a backline packed with established defenders. Still, his knack for covering multiple roles made him a genuinely useful addition.
Honestly, that says a lot: Canada trusted him in real matches, not just throwaway friendlies.
Here’s a quick look at his early international record:
| Year | Competition | Matches | Goals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Concacaf Nations League | 1 | 0 | First senior appearance for Canada |
Canada clearly wanted to deepen its defensive pool ahead of World Cup qualifying. If you follow the team, you already know how crucial reliable depth is—especially in a region where travel, weather, and tight schedules can really mess with a roster.
When Hiebert stepped into Concacaf play, he showed he could handle the physical side and speed of international soccer. He still played with the discipline that defined his years at Missouri State.
