DeJuan Jones, San JOSE Earthquakes Defender #22: Career & Impact
By now, you probably know DeJuan Jones, the steady defender wearing #22 for the San Jose Earthquakes. After spending years growing with New England and a short stint in Columbus, he’s now bringing his speed and versatility to California.
He’s the kind of defender who can lock down the left side, push forward when needed, and slide into different roles along the backline.
What sets Jones apart isn’t just his consistency in Major League Soccer. He’s also got experience on the international stage with the United States Men’s National Team.
His journey from Michigan State University to MLS and now to San Jose shows a career built on steady improvement and reliability.
If you look closer at his path, you’ll see a player shaped by strong coaching, playoff experience, and the ability to thrive in different systems.
That mix of skill and adaptability makes him a key figure for the Earthquakes, and honestly, his story is one to keep an eye on.
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DeJuan Jones at San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose brought in a proven MLS defender at a time when they really needed some stability in the back. His arrival means both financial implications for the club and a real shot at shoring up a defense that’s struggled for a while.
Transfer Details and Trade Impact
The San Jose Earthquakes traded for DeJuan Jones from the Columbus Crew by sending $175,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) in 2025, a 2025 international roster slot, and another $250,000 in GAM in 2026. That’s $425,000 in GAM plus roster flexibility—a pretty hefty package for a defender.
This move shows the Earthquakes’ urgency to fix their defensive problems. The club had already let in one of the highest goal totals in MLS before Jones arrived.
San Jose traded away allocation money and a valuable international slot because they wanted a player with experience and versatility right away.
Columbus, on the other hand, got some cap relief and roster room. San Jose picked up a player who had already played under coach Bruce Arena in New England, which should help him settle in quickly.
Role and Position as Defender
Jones usually plays as a left-back, but sometimes you’ll see him move into midfield if the team needs it. His speed and willingness to push forward make him useful in defense and attack.
This versatility adds depth for the Earthquakes, a team that likes to switch between a back four and wingback setups.
You’ll see him defend one-on-one, cover wide areas, and join the attack with overlapping runs. In New England, he consistently racked up assists—a pretty rare thing for a defender.
San Jose didn’t really have that kind of two-way player before he showed up.
He stands at 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, blending athleticism with durability. He’s logged heavy minutes in MLS since 2019 and rarely misses games due to injury.
That kind of reliability matters for a club that’s leaned on young, inexperienced defenders lately.
Performance in the Current MLS Season
Since joining San Jose, Jones has started regularly and brought some much-needed defensive stability to the left side. When the Earthquakes push for goals late in matches, his ability to get forward gives them another attacking option.
Earlier in 2025, he made a few appearances for Columbus, scoring twice and adding an assist. That production isn’t new—he did the same in New England, often hitting five or more assists a season.
His consistency in the final third makes him more than just a defensive option.
2025 MLS Season (through mid-August)
| Club | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Crew | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 420 |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 10 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 810 |
Jones, a Michigan State grad, keeps showing why teams around the league value him. His mix of defensive awareness and attacking support is already making a difference in San Jose’s season.
MLS Career Journey
DeJuan Jones built his pro career by growing steadily, moving from a reliable starter in New England to a key trade piece in Columbus, and then on to San Jose.
His path proves that consistency, versatility, and international recognition can shape a defender’s role in MLS.
Time with New England Revolution
Jones broke out with the New England Revolution, becoming a regular under coach Bruce Arena. The club drafted him in 2019 after his time at Michigan State University, and he quickly made his mark as a left back who could defend and push forward.
Over six seasons, he played in more than 130 regular season matches. He often linked up with teammates like Dave Romney, Ian Harkes, and Mark-Anthony Kaye, giving New England balance on both sides of the ball.
His speed and ability to cover ground made him one of the more dependable defenders in the league.
In 2021, Jones helped the Revolution win the Supporters’ Shield, a big moment for the club. That year, he also caught the eye of the U.S. national team.
His time in New England proved he could handle both MLS play and tournaments like the Leagues Cup.
Stint at Columbus Crew
Early in 2025, Jones got traded to the Columbus Crew. The move surprised a lot of people since he played such a big role in New England.
Columbus picked up allocation money and an international slot in exchange, showing how much MLS clubs value a player like him.
With Columbus, Jones jumped right into the starting lineup, fitting into a back line with plenty of experience. He worked closely with goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr., who also played in New England.
He adapted quickly and became a reliable option for the Crew during league play.
His time in Ohio didn’t last long, but it showed how his consistency made him a wanted player. By April 2025, the Crew traded him to the San Jose Earthquakes, where he took the No. 22 shirt.
Notable Achievements and Statistics
Jones’ career stats show steady contributions. He doesn’t score a ton, but his defensive work, assists, and minutes played prove his value.
| Club | MLS Seasons | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England Revolution | 2019–2024 | 132 | 6 | 20 |
| Columbus Crew | 2025 | 8 | 0 | 1 |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 2025– | Ongoing | 0 | 0 |
Most of his production came in New England, where he logged heavy minutes and created chances from wide positions.
His moves to Columbus and then San Jose show that teams want a defender who can handle one-on-ones, join the attack, and stay healthy through long MLS seasons.
International Experience with USMNT
DeJuan Lytelle Jones, once a standout at Michigan State University, has carved out a steady role with the United States Men’s National Team.
That involvement reflects his consistency at the club level and his ability to adapt under different coaches, including current head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
National Team Call-Ups and Caps
Jones has gone from a promising MLS defender to a reliable international option. Since his debut in January 2023 against Serbia, he’s picked up 10 caps with the USMNT.
Those appearances include starts against Colombia and key minutes in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, where he posted two assists in four starts.
He earned his latest call-up in June 2025 after moving to the San Jose Earthquakes from Columbus. He reported to camp in Chicago ahead of friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland, part of the final Gold Cup prep.
Here’s his national team record so far:
| Competition | Matches | Starts | Assists | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friendlies | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Concacaf Gold Cup (2023) | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 10 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
That mix of experience and output keeps him in the conversation for big tournaments.
Performance Under Mauricio Pochettino
Under Mauricio Pochettino, Jones has taken on a more defined role. The Argentine coach values his pace, positional sense, and ability to help in transition.
Jones has mostly played as a left back, but his right-footed play gives him some flexibility when building out from the back.
Pochettino has pushed for longer camps to build chemistry before the 2026 World Cup. In this setup, Jones benefits from more structured preparation and longer evaluation periods.
His quick impact with San Jose, including one goal and two assists in his first six games, made his national team inclusion an easy call.
When you watch him with the USMNT, his defensive stability pairs with his ability to create width. That balance makes him a handy option in matches against top European opponents like Turkey and Switzerland, where the U.S. looks for sharper competition before regional tournaments.
For Jones, these chances under Pochettino aren’t just about getting minutes—they’re about proving he deserves a spot in a crowded player pool heading into a home World Cup.
Early Life and Youth Development
You can really see how a player’s early years shape the rest of his career. DeJuan Lytelle Jones grew up in Michigan, built his game in local programs, and earned recognition that carried him to Michigan State and eventually MLS.
Background and Hometown
DeJuan Lytelle Jones was born on June 24, 1997, in Lansing, Michigan. He started playing soccer at age five, thanks to a teacher who introduced him to the sport.
That spark turned into a steady commitment pretty quickly.
He went to Dwight Rich School of the Arts through sixth grade, then moved over to MacDonald Middle School in East Lansing. By high school, Jones had already developed solid technical skills and a real sense of discipline.
Growing up in Lansing gave him access to competitive soccer while still being part of a close-knit community. That mix of structure and support helped prepare him for the demands of higher-level play.
East Lansing High School and Youth Clubs
At East Lansing High School, Jones earned three varsity letters. He helped the Trojans win back-to-back state championships, going 50–4 across his junior and senior years.
His senior year playoff run was something else. In seven games, he scored nine goals and added 12 assists.
One of his biggest moments came in the 2014 state final against Cranbrook Schools, when he set up the game-tying goal and then scored the overtime winner.
He picked up plenty of honors—Michigan’s Gatorade Player of the Year and Mr. Soccer in 2014. Outside of school, he played for TNT Dynamite SC and Force FC, sharpening his skills against top competition.
College Soccer at Michigan State
Jones took a scholarship to Michigan State University, playing four seasons with the Spartans. He grew into a leader, eventually becoming team captain in 2018.
That year, Michigan State made it to the College Cup semifinals.
His college career was all about steady production. He played 76 matches, scored 16 goals, and added key assists.
Here’s a quick look at his college stats:
| Season | Matches | Goals | Assists | Honors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 18 | 2 | 1 | – |
| 2016 | 17 | 2 | 0 | – |
| 2017 | 18 | 7 | 6 | Big Ten Second Team |
| 2018 | 23 | 5 | 5 | Big Ten Second Team |
His speed and agility testing at the 2019 MLS Combine boosted his draft stock, putting him among the top performers.
That performance set him up to go early in the MLS SuperDraft.
Coaches and Key Teammates
Your growth as a defender ties closely to the coaches who shaped you and the teammates who battled alongside you. The lessons you picked up in New England and the bonds you formed in San Jose definitely influenced your style and reliability at the pro level.
Bruce Arena’s Influence
You spent most of your early career with Bruce Arena at the New England Revolution. Arena really appreciated your versatility, often putting you at left back or wingback depending on what the team needed. He focused on defensive structure and quick transitions, which pushed you to sharpen your positioning and decision-making.
Arena coached in a straightforward way. He always expected you to handle one-on-one defending and wanted you to push forward when the chance appeared. That mix of discipline and freedom kind of became your trademark.
He liked to trust younger players, which honestly gave you a big boost in confidence. You figured out how to handle high-pressure games, including those tense playoff moments. Arena’s experience with the U.S. national team gave you a peek at what’s needed to compete internationally.
Key Development Areas under Arena
| Skill | Impact |
|---|---|
| Positioning | Improved awareness in defensive shape |
| Transition play | Faster movement from defense to attack |
| Confidence | Consistent starts built reliability |
Notable Teammates and Collaborations
Your time in New England and San Jose put you alongside players who really helped you grow. Defenders like Dave Romney brought steady play next to you, and midfielders such as Ian Harkes and Mark-Anthony Kaye gave you options when you wanted to overlap and join the attack.
Training mattered just as much. Working every day with goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. made your communication in the back line sharper. His constant directions kept you alert, especially when you had to track runners into the box.
When you moved to San Jose, you learned new systems but still leaned on those earlier lessons. The chemistry with teammates let you push forward more often, knowing someone would cover your spot. That trust helped you become a more complete, two-way defender.
Playing with different teammates taught you how to read the game better. You saw firsthand how important consistency is, whether in league matches or national team camps. Each teammate showed you something new about the role and how to handle it at a high level.
Position Versatility and Playing Style
You probably see DeJuan Jones as more than just a reliable defender. His game blends defensive reliability with tactical flexibility, giving his club plenty of options across the back line and keeping him valuable in all kinds of match situations.
Primary Role as Left-Back
Jones mainly plays as a left-back, which isn’t an easy gig. You notice how quickly he tracks back, closes down space, and handles one-on-one challenges without diving in too early. His speed helps him recover when he’s caught upfield, and that’s huge in Major League Soccer’s fast-paced games.
When he pushes forward, he stretches the field by overlapping the winger. That move opens space for midfielders to cut inside, and it sets him up to whip in crosses. He prefers his right foot, which isn’t typical for left-backs, but it lets him cut inside and hit sharper passes.
Back at Michigan State, Jones built a solid base in defensive positioning and making attacking runs. You can see that background in his pro play—he knows when to join the attack and when to hang back.
Recent Club Stats (MLS Regular Season)
| Season | Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | New England Revolution | 30 | 1 | 5 |
| 2024 | Columbus Crew | 28 | 0 | 4 |
| 2025 | San Jose Earthquakes | 22 | 0 | 3 |
Tactical Adaptability in Defense
You’ll notice Jones playing all over the back line when the situation calls for it. Sure, he’s usually at left-back, but coaches have slotted him in at right-back and even more central spots when the squad’s stretched thin.
That kind of flexibility? It lets coaches tweak tactics on the fly without throwing off the team’s balance.
Jones leans on smart positioning and anticipation, not wild tackles. He reads passing lanes and nudges opponents into safer areas.
He keeps things tidy, so he doesn’t have to dive in with risky challenges. Instead, he helps keep the defensive line steady.
When the team presses, Jones steps up to break up the other team’s buildup. If they drop deeper, he sticks to his line and tracks runners.
He shifts his approach based on what the system or opponent needs, which makes him a steady option in any back four.
Watch him for a bit, and you’ll see he rarely seems flustered. That calm lets him back up teammates while holding the line, which probably explains why both the San Jose Earthquakes and the U.S. national team have taken notice.
