Jacob Akanyirige

Jacob Akanyirige (born December 30, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a right back.

Jacob Akanyirige

Personal information
Date of birth	(2001-12-30) December 30, 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth	Pleasanton, California, U.S.
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position(s)	Right Back
Youth career
2015–2016	Ballistic United SC
2016–2017	San Jose Earthquakes
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2018–2021	San Jose Earthquakes	1	(0)
2019	→ Reno 1868 (loan)	4	(0)
2022	Rochester New York FC	17	(1)
2023–2024	New England Revolution II	17	(0)
International career‡
2020	United States U20	2	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of January 8, 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of July 10, 2020

Career

Youth

Akanyirige played for Pleasanton, CA's Ballistic United SC during the 2015–2016 season for their U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy's Under 13/14 team. In 2016–2017, he joined San Jose's U-15 squad and quickly moved up the academy ranks. After making one appearance for the U-17 side in 2017–18, he moved up to the U-19s and was competing against players two and three years older than he was.^[1] Akanyirige's birthday makes him a unique prospect for the youth national teams as he is two days too old to play with the 2002 cycle and is the youngest, or among the youngest, in 2001.^[2]

Professional

San Jose Earthquakes

Akanyirige signed as San Jose's fourth ever Homegrown Player on December 15, 2017. At the time of his signing, he was the youngest player to sign for the Earthquakes as well as third-youngest player in MLS, and the eighth-youngest to ever sign a professional contract in MLS history.^[3] Following the 2021 season, San Jose declined their contract option on Akanyirige.^[4]

Rochester NY FC

Akanyirige Signed with Rochester New York FC on April 2, 2022, on a free transfer.^[5] Akanyridge debuted for Rochester during an U.S. Open Cup match against FC Motown. Akanyirige scored his first professional goal on on May 14 in a match against Inter Miami II.^[6]

International career

Born in the United States, Akanyirige is of Ghanaian descent.^[7] He is a youth international for the United States.

Career statistics

As of June 21, 2024

Club	Season	League			Cup		Playoffs		Totals
		League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
San Jose Earthquakes	2018	MLS	—		—		—		—
	2019		—		0	0	—		0	0
	2020		1	0	0	0	—		1	0
	2021		0	0	—		—		0	0
	Total		1	0	0	0	—	—	1	0
Reno 1868 (loan)	2019	USL Championship	4	0	—		—		4	0
Rochester New York FC	2022	MLS Next Pro	17	1	2[a]	0	1	0	20	1
New England Revolution II	2023	MLS Next Pro	17	0	—		0	0	17	0
	2024		—		—		—		—
	Total		17	0	—		0	0	17	0
Career total			39	1	2	0	1	0	42	1

Notes

1. Appearances in the U.S. Open Cup