Nate Jaqua
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Nate Jaqua | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jonathan Jaqua | |
| Date of birth | 28 October 1981 | |
| Place of birth | Eugene, Oregon, United States | |
| Height | 6'3 | |
| Position | forward | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Toronto FC | |
| Number | 11 | |
| Youth clubs | ||
| 2000-02 |
Portland | |
| Professional clubs* | ||
| Years | Club | Apps (goals) |
| 2003-2006 2007— |
Chicago Fire Toronto FC |
80 (16) |
| National team** | ||
| 2005 | United States | 1 (0) |
|
* Professional club appearances and goals |
||
Nate Jaqua (born October 28, 1981 in Eugene, Oregon) is an American soccer forward, who currently plays for the Toronto FC of Major League Soccer.
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. 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.
After his 2002 season, Jaqua signed a Project-40 contract with MLS, and entered the 2003 MLS SuperDraft, where he was selected third overall by the 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. Along with Chris Rolfe, Jaqua has formed one of the MLS's most dangerous strike partnerships over the last two seasons. In 2006, Jaqua was chosen as a reserve to participate in the MLS All Star Game, taking on Chelsea FC 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. As of August 19, 2006, Jaqua was the Chicago Fire's top scorer for the season, having scored 6 goals in 19 MLS matches. On November 17, 2006 in the 2006 MLS Expansion Draft by Toronto FC, and is expected to be a fixture in TFC's attack.
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 US's easy victory.
