A. J. Cochran

Cochran attended CBC High School in 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 NSCAA All-American (and Missouri's Gatorade player of the year) as a senior. He played for club side St. Louis Scott Gallagher as a kid. Cochran played three years of college soccer at the University of Wisconsin between 2011 and 2013. He helped take the Badgers to the NCAA tournament his junior year. Accolades he received while at Wisconsin include 2011 Big Ten All-Freshman team, 2012 and 2013 first team All-Big Ten, and 2013 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. While at college, Cochran appeared for PDL clubs Michigan Bucks and K-W United FC during their 2013 seasons. Cochran left Wisconsin after his junior season, signing a Generation Adidas deal with Major League Soccer.

As of January 29, 2021

Cochran was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. His parents are Anne and John Cochran and he has one sister. He attended CBC High School. He also played baseball, basketball, and football as a kid, but his dad encouraged him to focus on soccer. He attended the University of Wisconsin.