Brian James (soccer)

Brian James (born October 25, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays for Miami FC in the USL Championship.

Brian James
James playing for Toronto FC II in 2017
Personal information
Full name Brian James
Date of birth (1993-10-25) October 25, 1993
Place of birth Boca Raton, Florida, United States
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Miami FC
Number 17
Youth career
2010–2015 Weston FC Academy
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2013 Virginia Cavaliers 35 (4)
2014–2015 Penn State Nittany Lions 38 (4)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2017 Toronto FC II 57 (2)
2016–2017 → Toronto FC (loan) 0 (0)
2018– Miami FC 29 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of September 30, 2020

Career

College

Attending American Heritage High School, James recorded 78 goals and 168 assists during his school career. He then attended the University of Virginia for two years, where he scored four goals in 35 appearances.[1]

During his college career, James took a wealth of accolades, including a place in 2014 College Sports Madness All-Big Ten Second Team. He was named two-time ESPN Rise All-American First Team in 2011 and 2012, as well as Florida's 2012 Gatorade Player of the Year. He was crowned Palm Beach Player of the Year in 2010, 2011 and 2012, having guided his school to become FHSAA State Champions twice in three years. James was also Sun-Sentinel Player of the Year on two occasions.[2]

While studying, James played club football for Weston from 2010 to 2012. It was during this time he was chosen to feature in the United States Under-18 National Team camp, and named in the USSF Academy Starting XI Southern Conference side three times.[3]

He moved to Pennsylvania State University in 2014 for a further two years, where he scored four goals in 38 appearances.[2]

Professional

James was drafted in the fourth round, 80th overall, in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC on January 19, 2016.[4] On March 24, 2016, it was announced that he would join affiliate team Toronto FC II ahead of the 2016 USL season.[5] He made his debut in a 2–2 draw with New York Red Bulls II two days later.

He was called up to the Toronto FC squad later in the season, and made his debut in the Canadian Championship on June 2, 2016. He replaced Daniel Lovitz for the final six minutes of the 4–2 semi-final first leg win over Montreal Impact.[6]

In mid 2018 James was signed by Miami FC 2, the National Premier Soccer League side of Miami FC, and was made his debut for the team in its June 27 match against Naples United FC as a 90th minute substitution.[7][8] He played put the remainder of the regular season with the team and made four appearances in the playoffs as Miami went on to win the NPSL National Championship.[9] The team, now playing under the name "Miami FC," repeated as champions the following season and James scored his first goal with Miami on June 1, 2019 against Storm FC in a 10-1 win.[10][11]

On July 24, Miami FC was accepted into the National Independent Soccer Association ahead of its inaugural season.[12][13] James remained with Miami during this transition as the team went undefeated during the Fall season. On November 9, James started in the NISA East Coast Championship against Stumptown Athletic which Miami won, 3-0, for its ninth trophy in three years.[14] Miami announced it would be joining the USL Championship in December 2019 and later announced James was re-signed for his third season with the club.[15]

Career statistics
As of matches played September 30, 2020.
Club Season League Cup[lower-alpha 1] League Cup Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Toronto FC II 2016 United Soccer League 292--00292
2017 280--00280
Total 572--00572
Toronto FC (loan) 2016 Major League Soccer 00100010
Miami FC 2018 National Premier Soccer League 30004070
2019 920040132
2019 National Independent Soccer Association 50--1060
2020 USL Championship 1200000120
Total 2920090382
Career total 8641090964
  1. Includes appearances in Canadian Championship and U.S. Open Cup

Honors

Toronto FC

Miami FC

Personal life

James was born in Boca Raton, Florida to Alvin and Karen James. He grew up in Sunrise, Florida, alongside sister Kassidy. His father played professional soccer for Fort Lauderdale Strikers between 1989 and 1994.[1]

References
  1. "Brian James Bio – VirginiaSports.com – University of Virginia Official Athletics Website – UVA Cavaliers Men's Soccer". www.virginiasports.com. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  2. "Brian James Bio – Men's Soccer – Penn State University Official Athletic Site". www.gopsusports.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  3. "Development Academy Announces 2011–12 End of Year Awards". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  4. Sun-Sentinel, South Florida. "Former Heritage-Delray star Brian James drafted by Toronto FC". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  5. "Toronto FC II sign Brian James". Toronto FC. March 24, 2016.
  6. "Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact | MatchCenter Boxscore". MLSsoccer.com MatchCenter. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  7. "Here is your #StartingXl for #MIAvNUFC! #VamosMiami KICKOFF UPDATE We are currently in a lightning delay ... Stay tuned for more info!". twitter.com. The Miami FC. June 27, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  8. "Game Report - Game ID #4829255". npsl.bonzidev.com. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  9. "Miami FC 2 Crowned 2018 NPSL National Champions". National Premier Soccer League. August 5, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  10. "The Miami FC Ties Club Record Against Storm FC". National Premier Soccer League. June 3, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  11. "The Miami FC Claims 2019 NPSL National Championship". National Premier Soccer League. August 4, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  12. ""We are very excited @TheMiamiFC is joining @NISALeague and will begin competition this Fall 2019. Miami FC has a legacy of success and we welcome the level of competition they bring to the pitch," - Mr. John Prutch, Commissioner, NISA. #MiamiFC #NISAnation". twitter.com. National Independent Soccer Association. July 24, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  13. Moubayed, Omar (July 24, 2019). "The Miami FC Join NISA, Return to "Pro" Soccer". Magic City Soccer. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  14. "MIAMI FC LIFTS 9TH TROPHY, WINNING NISA EAST COAST CHAMPIONSHIP 3-0 VS. STUMPTOWN ATHLETIC". Miami FC. November 9, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  15. "THE MIAMI FC STRENGTHENS ROSTER WITH FIVE PLAYERS RETURNING". Miami FC. January 9, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
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