Nate Jaqua

Nate Jaqua

Personal information
Full name	Jonathan Jaqua
Date of birth	October 28, 1981 (1981-10-28)
Place of birth	Eugene, Oregon, United States
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Playing position	Forward
Club information
Current club	New England Revolution
Youth career
2000–2002	Portland Pilots
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2003	Minnesota Thunder	2	(0)
2003–2006	Chicago Fire	92	(21)
2007	Los Angeles Galaxy	10	(1)
2007	Houston Dynamo	15	(6)
2008	SC Rheindorf Altach	13	(5)
2008	Houston Dynamo	14	(4)
2009–2011	Seattle Sounders FC	66	(9)
2012–	New England Revolution	0	(0)
National team‡
2006–2008	United States	3	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of November 7, 2011. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of March 19, 2009

Jonathan "Nate" Jaqua (born October 28, 1981 in Eugene, Oregon) is an American soccer player who is currently a free agent.

Career

High School

Jaqua is a graduate of South Eugene High School, where he led his team to two Midwestern League titles and one co-championship with North Bend in 1996. South Eugene took home an Oregon Class 4A state title in 1998. He was named a Parade All-American twice and named Oregon 4A Player of the Year twice.

College

Jaqua played college soccer at the University of Portland from 2000 to 2002. He totaled 29 goals and 22 assists in his three years there was named West Coast Conference freshman of the year.

Professional

After his 2002 season, Jaqua signed a Project-40 contract with Major League Soccer and entered the 2003 MLS SuperDraft, where he was selected third overall by Chicago Fire. Although Jaqua was expected to fill the hole in the Fire's lineup left by Josh Wolff, Damani Ralph quickly took that position, and Jaqua was relegated to a reserve role, starting only five games, scoring two goals and two assists. Although Jaqua remained blocked at forward by Ralph and Ante Razov in the 2004 season, DaMarcus Beasley's departure to PSV Eindhoven left an open spot in the Fire midfield, which Jaqua soon took. He finished the season having started 21 games for the team, while scoring four goals and two assists. In the years since, Jaqua has continued to be used as an outside midfielder from time to time, however the majority of his appearances have come as a forward. In 2006, Jaqua was chosen as a reserve to participate in the MLS All Star Game, taking on Chelsea F.C. in an exhibition match at the Fire's home field, Toyota Park. Jaqua played well in the event, which the MLS side won in shocking fashion, 1-0.

Jaqua was taken by Toronto FC on November 17, 2006 in the 2006 MLS Expansion Draft but never played for the club as Toronto traded Jaqua to Los Angeles Galaxy soon after. Los Angeles traded him to Houston Dynamo on July 2, 2007 in exchange for Kelly Gray and a 2nd-round pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft.

He signed with Austrian side SC Rheindorf Altach on January 28, 2008, but was released despite performing well with the club. On July 13th, he re-signed with Houston Dynamo until 2009. However, on November 26 of that year, he was selected by Seattle Sounders FC in the first round of the 2008 MLS Expansion Draft.

Jaqua stayed with Seattle through the 2011 season. At season's end, the club declined his 2012 contract option and he entered the 2011 MLS Re-Entry Draft. Jaqua was selected by New England Revolution in stage two of the draft on December 12, 2011.

International

Jaqua has played for the U-18, U-20, and U-23 United States national teams. He got his first cap for the senior team on January 29, 2006, against Norway and nearly scored in the U.S. victory.

Honors

Chicago Fire

• Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (2): 2003, 2006
• Major League Soccer Eastern Conference Championship (1): 2003
• Major League Soccer Supporters' Shield (1): 2003

Houston Dynamo

• Major League Soccer MLS Cup (1): 2007
• Major League Soccer Western Conference Championship (1): 2007

Seattle Sounders FC

• Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (3): 2009, 2010, 2011

Individual

• U.S. Open Cup Player Of The Tournament 2010

Personal

Jaqua grew up on a ranch located on the McKenzie River in Oregon. He is the son of Jon Jaqua, a former National Football League player who played for the Washington Redskins. Jaqua also has a brother Josh who played soccer at New Mexico and Portland. He said if he could not be a professional soccer player that he would be an Olympic skier.

See also

• List of current MLS players

External links

• MLS player profile
• Profile on Yanks Abroad
• Nate Jaqua at National-Football-Teams.com