Jalen Antonio Ellis-Watson (born March 23, 2000) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays for Simcoe County Rovers FC in League1 Ontario.

Early life

Watson played youth soccer with Erin Mills SC.[1] In August 2017, Watson joined the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy, where he played for two years.[1][2]

College career

In 2019, Watson began attending Pennsylvania State University, where he played for the men's soccer team.[3] On August 30, 2019, he made his collegiate debut against the Stanford Cardinal.[4] On October 15, 2019, he scored his first collegiate goal against the Pittsburgh Panthers.[5] After his freshman season, he was named to the Big Ten Conference All-Freshman Team.[6] In his sophomore and junior seasons, he earned Academic All-Big Ten honours.[4] In his senior season, he was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament team.[7][8] Over his four years at Penn State, Watson scored one goal and added three assists in 59 appearances.[9][10]

Club career

At the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, Watson was selected in the second round (32nd overall) by Toronto FC.[11][12] After attending pre-season with the club,[13] Waston signed a professional contract with the second team, Toronto FC II, in MLS Next Pro.[14] He made his debut on April 14 against New York City FC II.[15] In August 2023, he was loaned to Pacific FC in the Canadian Premier League.[16][17]

In 2024, he signed with the Simcoe County Rovers in League1 Ontario.[18]

Career statistics

As of August 17, 2024[19]
Club Season League Playoffs Domestic Cup League Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Toronto FC II 2023 MLS Next Pro 2 0 2 0
Pacific FC (loan) 2023 Canadian Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Simcoe County Rovers 2024 League1 Ontario Premier 13 1 0 0 2 0 15 1
Simcoe County Rovers B 2024 League2 Ontario 2 0 2 0
Career total 17 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 19 1

References

  1. ^ a b "Jalen Watson Whitecaps profile". Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
  2. ^ Pollak, David (October 16, 2019). "Why Penn State men's soccer's Jalen Watson and Adam Laundree work well together despite their differences". Daily Collegian.
  3. ^ "Men's Soccer Finalizes Incoming Class". Penn State Nittany Lions. May 20, 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Jalen Watson Penn State profile". Penn State Nittany Lions.
  5. ^ "Men's Soccer Holds Two-Goal Advantage Over Pitt in Victory". Penn State Nittany Lions. October 15, 2019.
  6. ^ Sistrand, Carolyn. "A Recipe For Success: This Cook's Book Has Only Just Begun". Penn State Nittany Lions.
  7. ^ Cykosky, Phoebe (November 13, 2022). "Big Ten names Penn State men's soccer defender Jalen Watson to all-tournament team despite 1st-round loss". Daily Collegian.
  8. ^ Boyer, Kaleb (December 21, 2022). "Penn State men's soccer's Jalen Watson, Liam Butts, Andrew Privett selected in 2023 MLS SuperDraft". Daily Collegian.
  9. ^ Taylor, Paul (December 27, 2022). "Toronto FC: 5 things to know about both Jalen Watson and Charlie Sharp". Toronto Reds.
  10. ^ Trozzo, Tony (August 18, 2023). "PFC stabilizes defensive unit with the signing of Jalen Watson on loan from TFC II". Victoria Now.
  11. ^ "Toronto FC select Jalen Watson and Charlie Sharp in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft". Toronto FC. December 21, 2023.
  12. ^ Palermo, Adam (December 23, 2022). "Toronto FC selects Jalen Watson and Charlie Sharp in 2023 MLS SuperDraft". Waking the Red.
  13. ^ Palermo, Adam (February 8, 2023). "Toronto FC 2023 Preseason Tracker". Waking the Red.
  14. ^ "Toronto FC II add MLS SuperDraft pick Jalen Watson to roster". Toronto FC. March 17, 2023.
  15. ^ "Toronto FC II loan defender Jalen Watson to Pacific FC". Toronto FC. August 18, 2023.
  16. ^ "Pacific FC sign defender Jalen Watson on loan from TFC II". Pacific FC. August 18, 2023.
  17. ^ Jacques, John (August 18, 2023). "Pacific Procures Jalen Watson On Loan From TFC2". Northern Tribune.
  18. ^ Hewitt, Thomas (April 23, 2024). "Toronto FC welcome Simcoe County Rovers for Canadian Championship clash, League1 Ontario team's biggest-ever game". Waking the Red.
  19. ^ Jalen Watson at Soccerway
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