DeJuan Jones
DeJuan Lytelle Jones is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes and the [United States men's national association football|soccer team|United States national team].
Early life
Introduced to soccer at the age of five by his teacher, Jones was a three-year letter winner in soccer at East Lansing High School, while also playing club soccer for TNT Dynamite SC, as well as Force FC. During his junior and senior seasons he led the Trojans to a combined 50–4 record en route to winning back-to-back State Championships. Throughout the seven game playoff run his senior season, Jones netted 9 goals and tailed 12 assists which included the game tying assist and game winning overtime goal in the 2014 State Championship against Cranbrook Schools. Jones was named both the Gatorade Player of the Year and Mr. Soccer for the state of Michigan in his senior year while attending East Lansing High School.College career
Jones played four seasons at Michigan State, where he was twice named to the All-Big Ten second team. During his first two years, he was seldom named to the starting lineup, although made regular substitute appearances. He scored his first college goal at Bowling Green on September 29, 2015. During his junior season, he started the year as a substitute before becoming a starter in his 6th game of the year, where he would not relinquish the spot in the starting lineup for the remaining 15 games of the year. He finished the season with 7 goals and 6 assists. For his senior season, Jones started all 23 of their games in 2018, and captained the Spartans team that reached the semifinals of the 2018 College Cup, tallying 5 goals and 5 assists for the season. Ahead of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, Jones performed well at the MLS Combine, placing first in the combine's speed and agility tests, and third in the vertical jump. After scoring a goal in a scrimmage that day, his draft stock rose from being picked late in the first round, to as high as sixth overall on multiple mock drafts.Professional career
New England Revolution
A "speedy right winger with attacking sensibilities", Jones was selected with the 11th overall pick of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft by the New England Revolution, the club's second selection of the draft, after Tajon Buchanan. After playing a full preseason with the Revolution where the club tried him out at left-back, Jones signed a contract with the club on February 25, five days ahead of their season opening fixture. Named in the match-day squad for the first two games, Jones did not make his debut until the Revolution's fourth game, at home to expansion side FC Cincinnati on March 24. Jones replaced left-back Edgar Castillo towards the end of the match as the Revolution tried to overcome a two-goal deficit, the game finishing 2–0. On March 30, 2019, Jones made his first career start for the Revolution, recording two shots, including one shot on goal and the game-winning assist in a 2–1 victory over Minnesota. Jones would score his first professional goal against Sporting Kansas City on April 27, with Jones calling it "an awesome feeling." During the second half of the season, Jones transitioned to playing from a winger to become a left-back full-time. After his rookie season in New England, Jones signed a contract extension with the Revolution.On December 15, 2021, it was announced that Jones signed a contract extension with the Revolution through 2024, with an additional year option.
On January 18, 2024, Jones re-signed with the Revolution on a 4-year deal, which would last through the 2027 MLS Season.