Nathaniel Jones (born August 23, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays for Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Nathaniel Jones[1] | ||
| Date of birth | August 23, 2001 | ||
| Place of birth | Seattle, Washington, United States | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Colorado Rapids | ||
| Number | 56 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Harbor Premier | |||
| Washington Premier | |||
| Crossfire Premier | |||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2023 | Washington Huskies | 58 | (5) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022 | Crossfire Redmond | ||
| 2023 | Vermont Green | 9 | (0) |
| 2024– | Colorado Rapids | 0 | (0) |
| 2024– | → Colorado Rapids 2 (loan) | 25 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 25, 2024 | |||
Early life
editJones began playing youth soccer in local Gig Harbor leagues in his hometown, before joining the Harbor Premier and later Washington Premier FC.[2]
Jones attended Gig Harbor High School, where he earned All-League, All-County and All-State honors, while playing for the soccer team.[3][better source needed]
College career
editIn August 2019, he committed to attend the University of Washington to play for the men's soccer team in the fall of 2020.[2] He made his collegiate debut on February 4, 2021 against the Northwest Eagles and made his first start on March 20, 2021 against the Stanford Cardinal.[4] On October 21, 2022, he scored his first collegiate goal against the Oregon State Beavers.[5] In his junior season, he helped the team win the Pac 12 title[6] and at the end of his junior season, he was named to the All-Pac-12 Second Team.[7] Ahead of his senior season, he was named to the All-Pac 12 Preseason Team,[8] and at the end of the season, he was selected to the All-Pac-12 First Team.[9] After the season, he was invited to attend the MLS College Showcase.[10][11]
Club career
editIn 2022, he played with the Crossfire Redmond in the National Premier Soccer League.[12]
In 2023, he played with Vermont Green FC in USL League Two, appearing in nine matches.[13][14]
At the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, he was selected in the first round (fifth overall) by Austin FC.[15][16] However, his rights were immediately traded to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for $250,000 in General Allocation Money.[17] In January 2024, he signed a professional contract with the Rapids.[18][19] He also spent some time with the second team, Colorado Rapids 2, in MLS Next Pro, making his professional debut on March 17 against St. Louis City 2.[20]
References
edit- ^ Nate Jones at Soccerway
- ^ a b Whitford, Jordan (August 9, 2019). "Gig Harbor's Nate Jones commits to University of Washington soccer". The News Tribune.
- ^ Hutchens, Patty (April 2, 2019). "Athletes of the Month: Nate Jones & Audrey Krishnadasan". Gig Harbor Living Local.
- ^ "Nate Jones Washington profile". Washington Huskies.
- ^ Hans, Rajan (October 22, 2022). "Jones' equalizer preserves unbeaten season for No. 1 Washington". The Daily of the University of Washington.
- ^ "Q&A with #13 Nate Jones". Vermont Green FC. June 29, 2023.
- ^ "Ten Huskies Tabbed Pac-12 Postseason Honorees". Washington Huskies. November 15, 2022.
- ^ "Four Named To Pac-12 Preseason Team". Washington Huskies. August 22, 2023.
- ^ "Seven Huskies Tabbed Pac-12 Postseason Honorees". Washington Huskies. November 14, 2023.
- ^ "Jones, Kossa-Rienzi Invited To 2023 adidas MLS Showcase". Washington Huskies. December 5, 2023.
- ^ Minton, Sam (December 5, 2023). "Former Vermont Green FC Defender Nate Jones Invited to 2023 College Showcase". The Blazing Musket.
- ^ "2022 National Championship Matchday Guide". National Premier Soccer League.
- ^ Minton, Sam (February 19, 2023). "Vermont Green FC Signs Defender Nate Jones". The Blazing Musket.
- ^ "Nate Jones, Zach Zengue selected in 2024 MLS SuperDraft". Vermont Green FC. December 20, 2023.
- ^ West, Phil (December 19, 2023). "Austin FC selects Nate Jones in MLS SuperDraft with No. 5 pick, then moves him to Rapids". Verde All Day.
- ^ "Jones, Kossa-Rienzi Selected In 2024 MLS SuperDraft". Washington Huskies. December 19, 2023.
- ^ Goodman, Eric. "Updated: Austin FC Trades Nate Jones for General Allocation Money in MLS SuperDraft". The Austin Chronicle.
- ^ "Colorado Rapids sign midfielder Wayne Frederick, forward Kimani Stewart-Baynes and defender Nate Jones". Colorado Rapids. January 17, 2024.
- ^ "Colorado Rapids sign SuperDraft picks Frederick, Jones & Stewart-Baynes". MLSsoccer.com. January 17, 2024.
- ^ "Recap: Colorado Rapids 2 defeat St. Louis CITY2 in first match of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season". Colorado Rapids. March 18, 2024.
External links
edit- Nate Jones at Soccerway