Jacob Jackson Bio
Jacob Daniel Jackson (born April 25, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club FC Dallas. Standing at 180 cm, Jackson has built his reputation through a strong college career at Loyola Marymount and a rapid rise through the professional ranks after being selected in the first round of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. He is known for his shot-stopping ability, composure under pressure, and a record-setting performance during his early appearances at FC Dallas.
Early Life and Background
Jacob Daniel Jackson was born on April 25, 2000, in San Diego, California. Growing up in a region with a strong soccer culture, Jackson was introduced to the sport at a young age and developed his skills through the youth club system. He played for San Diego Surf, a well-known Southern California youth soccer club that has produced several professional players. His performances in the youth ranks drew attention from elite development academies across the country.
Jackson later joined the Real Salt Lake Academy, one of the top youth development programs in Major League Soccer. The academy provided him with high-level coaching, competitive matches, and exposure to professional training environments. This experience played a key role in preparing him for the demands of college and professional soccer, and it helped him secure a place on the Loyola Marymount University roster.
Path to Soccer
Jackson’s path to professional soccer continued at Loyola Marymount University, where he played college soccer from 2019 to 2021. During his three seasons with the Lions, he made 42 appearances and established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the West Coast Conference. His consistent performances in goal earned him widespread recognition among college soccer observers.
In both 2020 and 2021, Jackson was named the West Coast Conference Goalkeeper of the Year and earned All-WCC First Team honors, becoming one of the most decorated goalkeepers in the conference during that period. These accolades helped position him as a top prospect heading into the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, where he was selected 24th overall in the first round by the New England Revolution.
Jacob Jackson Career
Early Career (2018-2021)
Jackson began his competitive senior career in 2018 with Real Monarchs, the development affiliate of Real Salt Lake, during his youth development phase. That experience allowed him to train and compete alongside professionals while still completing his pathway toward college soccer. He then committed to Loyola Marymount, where his college career would define his reputation as a top goalkeeper prospect.
Across his three seasons with the Loyola Marymount Lions, Jackson’s combination of reflexes, command of the penalty area, and distribution stood out. His back-to-back West Coast Conference Goalkeeper of the Year awards in 2020 and 2021 marked him as one of the leading goalkeepers in college soccer and set the stage for his entry into Major League Soccer.
New England Revolution Era (2022-2024)
On January 18, 2022, Jackson was selected by the New England Revolution in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft. He signed with the club on February 15, 2022, keeping his college jersey number 98. For the 2022 season, he was loaned to New England Revolution II, the club’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, where he continued his development. During that year, he won the MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Month award for May 2022.
Jackson made his Major League Soccer debut on October 14, 2023, recording seven saves in a 3-2 loss to Nashville SC. One week later, on October 21, 2023, he made his home debut at Gillette Stadium and earned his first MLS win in a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union in front of 41,355 fans. On April 23, 2024, he was waived by New England, closing his first chapter in the league.
San Jose Earthquakes and The Town FC (2024)
Six days after being waived, Jackson was claimed off waivers by the San Jose Earthquakes on April 29, 2024. He was assigned to The Town FC, the Earthquakes’ MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, for the remainder of the 2024 season. Following the conclusion of the 2024 campaign, San Jose released him, making him available for the MLS Re-Entry Draft.
San Diego FC (2025)
Jackson was selected in the MLS Re-Entry Draft by San Diego FC ahead of the club’s inaugural 2025 season. He joined the expansion side as part of its first roster build, although he did not make a first-team appearance for San Diego FC before being moved.
FC Dallas Era (2025-Present)
On July 30, 2025, FC Dallas acquired Jacob Jackson from San Diego FC in exchange for a natural third-round pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft. His opportunity came quickly. On September 6, 2025, Jackson entered the match against St. Louis City SC as a substitute after starting goalkeeper Michael Collodi was shown a red card in the 16th minute. Jackson conceded a single goal and made 12 saves, allowing Petar Musa to level the match and secure a draw for Dallas.
His 12 saves broke the MLS league record for the most saves made by a substitute goalkeeper and tied Mark Dodd’s 1996 club record for the most saves made by a goalkeeper in a single FC Dallas match. Jackson also became the first goalkeeper to register 12 saves in his first appearance for a club since Matt Napoleon in 1998. For this performance, he was named MLS Player of the Matchday. Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, FC Dallas chose not to extend his contract, and he became available for MLS free agency.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jackson is recognized for his shot-stopping reflexes, command of the penalty area, and calm distribution from the back. His performances at Loyola Marymount and in MLS NEXT Pro demonstrated a strong ability to organize a defense, while his record-setting outing with FC Dallas showcased his capacity to perform under sudden high-pressure circumstances, such as entering a match early due to a red card.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jackson’s 12-save debut for FC Dallas on September 6, 2025, stands as the defining early moment of his professional career. He also holds the distinction of being a two-time West Coast Conference Goalkeeper of the Year and a first-round MLS SuperDraft selection, both markers of his consistent upward trajectory in American soccer.
Jacob Jackson Career Wins
Across his young professional career, Jacob Jackson has accumulated a selective but meaningful set of results. His first Major League Soccer victory came on October 21, 2023, in a 2-1 home win over the Philadelphia Union at Gillette Stadium. His most notable individual performance came in 2025, when he set a league record with 12 saves as a substitute goalkeeper for FC Dallas.
MLS and MLS NEXT Pro Highlights
Jackson’s first MLS win came during his debut home match with the New England Revolution. In MLS NEXT Pro competition, he earned the Goalkeeper of the Month award for May 2022 while playing for New England Revolution II, signaling his continued development. His record-setting performance for FC Dallas in September 2025 represents his highest-profile result to date.
Other Wins & Performances
During his time with the Real Salt Lake Academy and San Diego Surf youth setups, Jackson contributed to competitive youth campaigns that helped him earn a place at Loyola Marymount. His college accolades at Loyola Marymount, including back-to-back conference goalkeeper honors, represent some of his most significant verified achievements before turning professional.
Jacob Jackson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Detailed information about Jacob Jackson’s family background is not widely available in verified sources. He was born and raised in San Diego, California, and developed his early soccer career within the local youth system before joining the Real Salt Lake Academy.
Personal Life
Jacob Jackson keeps his personal life largely private, and verified public details about his relationships or family are limited. He is known to be active on social media, where fans can follow his professional updates. Beyond his playing career, he continues to be recognized for his academic and athletic accomplishments at Loyola Marymount University.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a transformative year for Jacob Jackson, featuring multiple team transitions and one of the most remarkable goalkeeping performances in Major League Soccer history. After being selected by expansion side San Diego FC in the MLS Re-Entry Draft, he was traded to FC Dallas in July 2025 without having appeared for San Diego. His opportunity arrived unexpectedly on September 6, 2025, when he was called upon as a substitute goalkeeper against St. Louis City SC.
Jackson delivered 12 saves in that match, setting a league record for saves by a substitute goalkeeper and tying the FC Dallas club record originally set by Mark Dodd in 1996. His performance earned him MLS Player of the Matchday honors and brought national attention to his career. The season closed with FC Dallas declining to extend his contract, placing him in MLS free agency heading into the next cycle.
Looking ahead, Jackson’s 2025 campaign demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level under extreme circumstances. His mix of first-round draft pedigree, conference accolades, and a record-setting debut positions him as a goalkeeper with significant upside as he evaluates his next professional opportunity.