Nate Jones (soccer)

Nathaniel Jones (born August 23, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays for USL Championship club Las Vegas Lights, on loan from the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.

Nate Jones

Personal information
Full name	Nathaniel Jones[1]
Date of birth	(2001-08-23) August 23, 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth	Seattle, Washington, United States
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Las Vegas Lights (on loan from Colorado Rapids)
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)
2025−	→ Las Vegas Lights (loan)	8	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of July 4, 2025

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] In January 2025, Jones was loaned to USL Championship club Las Vegas Lights for the 2025 season.^[21]