Steven Lenhart

College and amateur

Lenhart grew up in Yorba Linda, California, and attended Esperanza High School. He attended Point Loma Nazarene University for one year before transferring to Azusa Pacific University. He tallied 38 goals and 12 assists in his 61 career collegiate games for Azusa Pacific, and was named a NAIA All-American in 2007. He was also named to the NAIA All-Tournament Team in 2006 and 2007, was honored as the NAIA Tournament's Outstanding Offensive Player in 2006 and 2007, and was MVP of the 2007 NAIA Tournament while helping lead Azusa Pacific to the 2007 NAIA national title over Concordia University, Irvine. During his college years, Lenhart also played for the Southern California Seahorses in the USL Premier Development League.

Professional

Lenhart was selected by the Columbus Crew as the 48th overall selection in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. He made his professional debut on May 31, 2008, as a second-half substitute against Chivas USA, and scored his first goal on June 21, 2008, against Los Angeles Galaxy. His rookie season ended with five goals across 12 appearances in the regular season and playoffs, with a dramatic tying goal in stoppage time of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal versus the Kansas City Wizards as well as winning MLS Cup. Head coach Sigi Schmid subbed Lenhart into the last minutes of the final to show his appreciation for the contribution to the Crew's winning season. Lenhart scored three goals in the 2009–10 CONCACAF…

Lenhart joined Seattle Sounders FC at the beginning of the 2025 season as a mental health advisor. He was suspended for five Leagues Cup matches after a brawl during the 2025 final against Inter Miami CF.

Being typically deployed as a target man, Lenhart was a hard-working forward who was known for his physical play and last second heroics, but was criticized for his dirtiness and needless aggression at times. Sam Stejskal of The Athletic described Lenhart's style of play as "rough and sometimes flagrantly physical"' and that Lenhart "came to be viewed around the league as an unabashed villain." Former Crew teammate Jason Garey praised his physicality, calling him "fearless and reckless, he's willing to put his body on the line at all times. It's great playing with him."

In 2020, Lenhart participated in World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji. He has a sister, Jennifer, who married to Scottish football player Adam Moffat in 2009.