[1] Ahead of the 2020 NCAA Division I men's soccer season, Bender signed a National Letter of Intent to play collegiately for the University of Maryland, College Park.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on sporting events, Bender did not make his Maryland debut until February 19, 2021, starting in a 2–3 loss to Penn State.
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.
[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.