He attended the Ohio State University, playing on the men's soccer team from 1996 to 2000.
[1] Leven graduated with a degree in Management Information Systems (MIS).
Leven started his career with the now defunct Pittsburgh Stingers in the Continental Indoor Soccer League (CISL).
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds signed Leven in 1999 as an undrafted free agent.
In the fall of 2000, Leven was transferred to the Columbus Crew where he participated as a training team member.