American soccer player (born 2001)
Nathaniel Jones (born August 23, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays for Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids .
Early life
Jones 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
In 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
In 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
^ 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