DeJuan Jones facts for kids

DeJuan Lytelle Jones (born June 24, 1997) is an American professional soccer player. He plays as a defender for the Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew. He also plays for the United States national team.

DeJuan Jones's Early Life and Soccer Journey

DeJuan Jones started playing soccer when he was five years old. His teacher introduced him to the sport. In high school, at East Lansing High School, he was a star soccer player for three years. He also played for club teams like TNT Dynamite SC and Force FC.

During his junior and senior years, DeJuan helped his high school team, the Trojans, win two State Championships in a row. They had an amazing record of 50 wins and only 4 losses. In his senior year, during the seven playoff games, he scored 9 goals and made 12 assists. This included a game-tying assist and the winning goal in overtime during the 2014 State Championship game. Because of his great performance, DeJuan was named both the Gatorade Player of the Year and Mr. Soccer for Michigan in his senior year.

College Soccer Career

After high school, DeJuan Jones played soccer for four seasons at Michigan State University. He became the captain of the Michigan State Spartans team. In 2018, he led them to the semifinals of the College Cup, which is a big college soccer tournament.

He was chosen for the second team in the Big Ten Conference in both his junior and senior years. In 2018, he started all 23 games and scored 5 goals and made 5 assists. The year before, as a junior, he scored 7 goals and had 6 assists.

Before the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, DeJuan did very well at the MLS Combine. This event tests players' skills for professional teams. He was first in speed and agility tests and third in the vertical jump. He even scored a goal in a scrimmage game there. This made his chances of being picked early in the draft much higher.

Professional Soccer Journey

Playing for New England Revolution

In the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, the New England Revolution picked DeJuan Jones as the 11th player overall. He signed a contract with the team on February 25, 2019.

DeJuan made his first professional appearance on March 24, 2019, against FC Cincinnati. He came into the game as a substitute. On March 30, 2019, he started his first game for the Revolution. He helped his team win 2-1 by making an assist for the winning goal. DeJuan scored his first professional goal against Sporting Kansas City on April 27. He said it was "an awesome feeling." After his first year, he signed a new contract with the Revolution.

On January 18, 2024, DeJuan signed another 4-year deal with the Revolution. This contract would keep him with the team until the end of the 2027 MLS season.

Joining Columbus Crew

On July 31, 2024, DeJuan Jones was traded to the Columbus Crew. In return, the Revolution received player Will Sands and money. DeJuan scored his first goal for the Columbus Crew very quickly. It happened just 20 seconds after he entered the game as a substitute. This goal was in a Leagues Cup match against Sporting Kansas City.

International Soccer Career

DeJuan Jones made his first appearance for the U.S. Men's National Team on January 25, 2023. He played against Serbia in a friendly game. He then started his first game for the national team against Colombia during the same camp.

DeJuan was chosen for the team that played in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He started two games in the group stage. In one of these games, he made his first assist at the international level. He helped Jesus Ferreira score against Trinidad and Tobago. Later, in the quarter-final match against Canada, DeJuan assisted Brandon Vazquez for the first goal. The U.S. team went on to win that game in a penalty shootout.

DeJuan Jones's Personal Life

DeJuan Lytelle Jones was born on June 24, 1997, in Lansing, Michigan. He went to Dwight Rich School of the Arts for elementary school. Then he attended MacDonald Middle School in East Lansing. He finished his high school education at East Lansing High School. After graduating, he received a scholarship to attend Michigan State University. There, he continued both his studies and his soccer career.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Honors

Columbus Crew

• Leagues Cup: 2024

See also

In Spanish: DeJuan Jones para niños