Earl Edwards Jr.
Earl William Edwards Jr. is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes.
College and amateur
Edwards spent his entire college career at UCLA, including a red-shirted year in 2010. He made a total of 61 appearances for the Bruins and finished with 19 shutouts and a 1.07 Goals Against Average. He was named first team All-Pac-12 in 2013 and 2014.Edwards also played in the Premier Development League for Ventura County Fusion and Seattle Sounders FC U-23.
Professional career
Orlando City
On January 20, 2015, Edwards was selected in the third round of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft by Orlando City, and he signed a professional contract with the club a month later. He made his professional debut on June 17 in a 2015 U.S. Open Cup match against Charleston Battery. Orlando went on to advance on penalties.He was loaned to Orlando City B in March 2016 before becoming the first-choice keeper in the 2017 USL season.
He made his first MLS start on October 23, 2017, away at Philadelphia Union on the final day of the season when regular starter Joe Bendik was ruled out with concussion. Orlando lost 6–1.
On July 14, 2018, following James O'Connor's appointment as manager, he was given the start over a healthy Bendik in the midst of a nine-game losing streak. Orlando won 2–1 with Edwards registering 3 saves. Edwards would retain the starting job for five games, conceding 13 goals. He was released by the club at the end of the 2018 season when his contract expired.