Prior to playing college soccer, Bender played youth soccer, from the age of 6 through 15 for Coach Barry Stitz and Fewster FC. The one-team, independent Fewster FC Club won 4 Maryland State Cups, 2 USYSA Regional Championships and played for the U15 USYSA National Championships in 2015 2015 USYSA U15 National Championships page. After USYSA changed their age categories (to birth year), Bender then played academy soccer, one season for the Philadelphia Union academy and four years for Baltimore Armour. Concurrently, Bender played high school soccer for Calvert Hall College High School in Towson, Maryland. With Calvert Hall, Bender served as the team's captain, being named an Allstate All-American his junior year, and earning honors from TopDrawerSoccer.com, All-Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association honors, and was named a Baltimore Sun All-Metro selection.[1]
Following his freshman season with Maryland, he signed a Generation adidas contract with Major League Soccer, an expected top five draft pick,[2][3] Bender was selected first overall in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft by Charlotte FC.[4] Bender became the third ever player from the University of Maryland to be selected first overall in the MLS SuperDraft, and the first since Maurice Edu was selected first overall in 2007.[5]
On September 6, 2024, Bender was loaned out to USL Championship side Tampa Bay Rowdies until the end of the season. During this move, Charlotte also excersised a contract extension keeping Bender at the North Carolina club until the end of the 2025 season.[6]
