Ryan James (soccer)

James began playing youth soccer at age four with Dixie SC.^[2] He later joined the Toronto FC Academy.^[3] He was a member of the Ontario provincial team at both the U14 and U16 levels, winning a silver medal at both national tournaments.^[4]

In 2012, he committed to attend Bowling Green University to play for the men's soccer team.^[5] On September 9, 2012, James recorded his first collegiate goal and his first assist in a 3–3 draw against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.^[6] On October 30, 2012, he scored a brace in a 3–2 victory over the Wright State Raiders,^[7] which earned him Bowling Green's Athlete of the Week honours.^[8] In his sophomore season, he was named to the OCSA Academic All-Ohio Second Team and also earned honourable mention honours for the Academic All-MAC Team.^[9][10]

In his junior season, he was named to the NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region Third Team,^[11] the All-MAC Second-Team,^[12] All-Ohio Second Team,^[13] Academic All-MAC Team,^[14] a MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete,^[15] and a Academic All-Ohio First Team.^[4]

Ahead of his senior season, he was named a team captain.^[16] He was named a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award,^[17] was named to the All-MAC Second Team,^[18] Academic All-MAC Team,^[19] MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete, and was the male recipient of Bowling Green's Medal of Honor.^[20] Ahead of the MLS SuperDraft, he was invited to the MLS Combine.^[21][22] Over his four seasons, he played in all 79 of the team's games, scoring nine goals and adding 15 assists.^[23]

In 2012, James began playing with the TFC Academy in the first division of the Canadian Soccer League.^[24] He also appeared with TFC Academy in a Premier Development League match in 2015.^{[citation needed]}

At the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, James was drafted in the third round (52nd overall) by Sporting Kansas City.^[25][26] He attended pre-season with the team,^[27][28] however, he did not ultimately sign with the club.^[29][30]

In March 2016, James signed with the Rochester Rhinos of the USL.^{[citation needed]}

In December 2017, James signed with Nashville SC in the USL, for the 2018 season.^[31][32]

In November 2018, James signed a one-year contract, with a club option for 2020 with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.^[33] In April 2019, he was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for the first time.^[34] He scored his first goal for the Riverhounds on August 1, 2020, against Philadelphia Union II.^[35] After scoring a brace against the Hartford Athletic on August 28, 2020, James was named USL Championship Player of the Week (and named to the Team of the Week).^[36][37] After another two-goal performance against the Hartford Athletic on September 12, he was once again named to the Team of the Week.^[38][39] For the 2020 season, he was named the Steel Army (the Riverhounds' supporters group) Player of the Year.^[40]

In December 2020, James signed a multi-year contract with Birmingham Legion FC.^[41][42] He scored his first goal for the Legion on July 9, 2022, against the Charleston Battery.^[43] In July 2022, he was named to the USL Team of the Week.^[44]

In February 2023, he signed a one-year contract with a club option for 2024, with the HFX Wanderers in the Canadian Premier League.^[45] He was named an assistant captain for the 2023 season.^[46] He made his debut for the club on April 15, 2023, against Atlético Ottawa.^[47] In July 2023, it was announced that he would miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery due to injury.^[48][49] In December 2023, the Wanderers declined his option for 2024.^[50]

He made his debut in the Canadian national program attending a camp with the Canada U17 team in August 2010, later attending a second camp in November 2010.^[2]

James is the younger brother of Evan James, who is also a professional soccer player.^[51][52] In September 2022, he was the inaugural recipient of the Coaching License Scholarship from Kwik Goal, the United Soccer League, and US Soccer, and will begin with B coaching license training with the United States Soccer Federation.^[53][54]

As of June 22, 2023^[55]

• Ryan James at Soccerway