Noel Buck
Noel Arthur Coleman Buck (born April 5, 2005) is an American professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes. A product of the New England Revolution academy, he first gained attention as one of the youngest players to score in Major League Soccer before taking his career abroad on loan to Southampton. Buck has represented England at multiple youth international levels, a choice shaped by his family’s ties to the United Kingdom.
Early Life and Background
Noel Arthur Coleman Buck was born on April 5, 2005, in Arlington, Massachusetts, in the United States. He was raised in the same suburban community north of Boston where he first discovered the sport as a child. His father is English, and his mother is American, while a Welsh grandmother later gave him an additional pathway in international football.
Growing up in Arlington, Buck played his earliest organized soccer with New England Futbol Club, a local youth organization. The region’s competitive youth scene exposed him to high-level coaching and helped shape his early development as a midfielder. By the time he entered his early teens, he had attracted the attention of Major League Soccer scouts based in the area.
Path to Soccer
In 2017, Buck was selected to join the New England Revolution academy, a respected youth development program based in the Greater Boston area. The academy provided him with structured training, competitive matches, and a clear pathway to professional soccer. Coaches at the club praised his composure on the ball and his ability to read the game from central midfield positions.
During the 2021 season, while still an academy player, Buck was promoted to the Revolution’s USL League One affiliate, New England Revolution II. The move gave him regular minutes against senior competition and offered a glimpse of what he could achieve at the professional level. His performances in the lower division accelerated his promotion to the first team the following year.
Noel Buck Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Buck made his professional debut on April 10, 2021, starting for New England Revolution II against Fort Lauderdale CF in USL League One. The appearance marked the start of a steady rise through the ranks at the Revolution organization. He balanced academy commitments with reserve-team minutes, gradually earning the trust of the club’s coaching staff.
On January 18, 2022, Buck signed a homegrown player contract with the New England Revolution, formally joining Major League Soccer’s first team. The deal was a milestone for both the player and the club, which had a long history of developing local talent. Later that season, on September 4, 2022, he scored his first Major League Soccer goal in a 3–0 win over New York City FC. The strike made him the second youngest scorer in Revolution history at the time, trailing only Diego Fagúndez.
New England Revolution Breakthrough (2022–2024)
Buck’s first full season in Major League Soccer came in 2023, and he quickly became a regular contributor in central midfield. On March 25, 2023, he delivered one of his earliest signature moments, scoring an 88th-minute game-winning goal against D.C. United at Audi Field. The finish, assisted by veteran striker Gustavo Bou, showed his ability to contribute in decisive moments of tight matches.
Through the 2023 and 2024 campaigns, Buck continued to develop into a versatile midfielder capable of linking defense and attack. His passing range, tactical awareness, and willingness to press opponents made him a favorite of the Revolution’s coaching staff. By the summer of 2024, he had established himself as one of the club’s most promising homegrown players and had earned a first call-up to the England under-19 squad in September 2023.
Southampton Loan (2024–2025)
On August 30, 2024, Buck joined Premier League side Southampton on a short-term loan that ran through January 2025. The move was designed to expose him to one of Europe’s top domestic leagues and accelerate his development. He was initially integrated into Southampton’s under-21 squad, where he trained and played alongside top English academy prospects.
The loan offered Buck a chance to measure himself against a different style of football, with quicker transitions and a faster tempo than Major League Soccer. He returned to the New England Revolution on January 6, 2025, having gained valuable experience abroad. His time in England also coincided with his continued progress in the England youth setup, where he made his under-20 debut on June 7, 2024, in a 2–1 win over Sweden.
San Jose Earthquakes Era (2025–Present)
On April 23, 2025, Buck was traded to the San Jose Earthquakes in a deal that could be worth up to $650,000. The trade ended his time with the New England Revolution organization and opened a new chapter on the West Coast. The move signaled a fresh start in a new conference and offered the midfielder a chance to play a leading role for a club in transition.
Buck’s early appearances for San Jose showed his comfort in possession and his ability to dictate tempo from midfield. The coaching staff deployed him as a connector between the defensive line and the attack, a role that suited his passing strengths. As the 2025 season progressed, he emerged as a key figure in the team’s long-term plans.
Driving Style and Strengths
Buck is regarded as a technically clean midfielder with a mature reading of the game. He combines crisp short passing with the ability to switch play across the field, and he is comfortable operating in tight spaces. His willingness to track back, combined with his composure under pressure, allows him to function in a variety of midfield roles.
Notable Events and Milestones
Buck’s debut Major League Soccer goal against New York City FC on September 4, 2022, made him the second youngest scorer in New England Revolution history. His late winner against D.C. United in March 2023 underlined his knack for clutch performances. The loan to Southampton in August 2024 and his subsequent trade to San Jose Earthquakes in April 2025 both marked significant steps in his professional journey.
Noel Buck Career Wins
While detailed career victory tallies are not fully verified across competitions, Buck’s most celebrated results include his first Major League Soccer goal against New York City FC, his late winner against D.C. United, and his England youth international debut against Germany. He also contributed to wins during his loan spell at Southampton and his early matches with San Jose Earthquakes.
Major League Soccer Highlights
Buck’s Major League Soccer highlights include his debut goal in 2022, his game-winning strike at Audi Field in 2023, and his consistent selection as a starter for the New England Revolution before his loan abroad. After returning from Southampton, he was traded to the San Jose Earthquakes, where he continued to feature regularly during the 2025 season.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond Major League Soccer, Buck recorded appearances for New England Revolution II in USL League One starting in 2021. He also represented England’s youth teams, including his under-20 debut in a 2–1 win over Sweden on June 7, 2024.
Noel Buck Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Buck was born to an English father and an American mother and has a Welsh grandmother, giving him eligibility for multiple national teams. The family’s transatlantic ties played a key role in his decision to represent England at youth international level. Buck holds both American and British passports, reflecting his dual heritage.
Personal Life
Off the field, Buck has kept a relatively low public profile while continuing to focus on his development as a professional footballer. His family background and international eligibility remain a defining feature of his identity, both as a player and as a representative of his chosen national team pathway.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been one of transition for Noel Buck. After returning to the New England Revolution from his loan at Southampton in January, he was traded to the San Jose Earthquakes on April 23, 2025. The trade signaled a major change of scenery and a new opportunity to establish himself in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer.
With the San Jose Earthquakes, Buck quickly became a regular in midfield, helping the club build possession and connect play between defense and attack. His technical quality and calmness in possession provided a steady presence for a team seeking to climb the conference standings. The early months of his time in California suggested a promising fit between player and club.
Looking ahead, Buck’s outlook for the rest of 2025 centers on cementing his place in the Earthquakes’ long-term plans and continuing his growth as a central midfielder. His international future with England at youth level also remains a storyline worth following as he gains more first-team experience in Major League Soccer.