Tanner Beason Bio
James Tanner Beason, known professionally as Tanner Beason, is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Major League Soccer club New England Revolution. Standing 185 centimeters tall, Beason has built his reputation as a dependable center back and outside back, valued for his composure in possession and his reading of the game. He previously spent five seasons with the San Jose Earthquakes after being selected in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft.
Born and raised in North Carolina, Beason rose through the U.S. Soccer Development Academy before earning a scholarship to Stanford University, where he collected multiple national titles and All-American honors. His transition from a celebrated college career to the professional ranks has positioned him as a reliable defender in MLS, and his move to New England in late 2024 marked a new chapter in his playing career.
Early Life and Background
James Tanner Beason was born on March 23, 1997, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in the United States. Growing up in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, he developed an early interest in soccer and joined the youth setup that would shape his formative years as a player. The area’s strong youth soccer infrastructure gave him access to high-level coaching and competitive matches from a young age.
Beason played for the USSDA academy side North Carolina Fusion, one of the prominent development programs in the region. Through the Fusion, he trained with experienced coaches and faced top academy talent from across the country, building the defensive foundations that would later define his style. His performances in the academy ranks drew the attention of college recruiters, and he eventually committed to Stanford University to continue both his education and his soccer development.
Path to Professional Soccer
Beason enrolled at Stanford University in 2015, joining one of the most decorated college soccer programs in the country. After redshirting his first year on campus, he became a regular in the Cardinal lineup and went on to make 81 appearances across four seasons, scoring 20 goals and adding 11 assists. The unusual scoring output for a defender highlighted his ability to contribute in attack, particularly from set pieces and overlapping runs.
His college career was decorated. Beason was part of three NCAA National Championship-winning squads in 2015, 2016, and 2017, although his on-field contributions grew significantly in his later seasons. He earned First Team All-Pac-12 honors in 2017 and 2018, was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2018, and collected First Team All-American recognition in both 2018 and 2019. He was also a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist in 2018 and 2019, confirming his status as one of the top collegiate defenders in the nation.
During his summers at Stanford, Beason gained senior-level exposure with USL League Two sides. He appeared for North Carolina Fusion U23 in 2016 and played for San Francisco City in both 2018 and 2019, sharpening his game against experienced professionals and older players. Those stints helped prepare him for the demands of a professional career.
Tanner Beason Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Beason’s first taste of senior soccer came in 2016 with North Carolina Fusion U23 in USL League Two, a developmental league that bridges the gap between college and the professional ranks. The opportunity allowed him to apply lessons from Stanford in a more physically demanding environment, while also adjusting to the pace of adult competition.
In 2018 and 2019, Beason joined San Francisco City in USL League Two, where he continued to log meaningful minutes. On December 30, 2019, he signed a senior contract with Major League Soccer ahead of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, formally declaring his intention to turn professional. The contract marked the culmination of a long development path that began on the fields of North Carolina.
MLS Breakthrough with San Jose Earthquakes (2020–2024)
Beason was selected 12th overall in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft by San Jose Earthquakes on January 9, 2020, becoming one of the highest-profile defender selections of that class. He made his professional debut on August 29, 2020, starting in a 3–2 loss to LA Galaxy. The shortened 2020 season, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, limited his early opportunities, but he quickly established himself as a regular in the Earthquakes’ defensive rotation.
Over the next several seasons, Beason became a mainstay in San Jose’s back line, alternating between center back and outside back roles. By the end of his time in San Jose, he had made 121 professional appearances for the club, a significant workload that reflected the trust placed in him by the coaching staff. On November 24, 2024, the Earthquakes elected not to exercise his contract option, and Beason became a free agent heading into the 2025 season.
New England Revolution Era (2024–Present)
On December 20, 2024, Beason signed with the New England Revolution on a two-year deal, with a club option for an additional year in 2027. The move provided him with a fresh start on the East Coast after five seasons in San Jose, and brought a veteran defender into a Revolution squad looking to retool its back line.
He made his Revolution debut on March 29, 2025, entering as a 37th-minute substitute for Wyatt Omsberg. Deployed primarily as a center back, Beason earned his first full start for New England on April 12, playing the full match in a 1–0 win over Atlanta United. The clean sheet in that fixture offered an early indication of the defensive stability he is expected to provide the club.
Driving Style and Strengths
Beason’s game is built on positional discipline, aerial strength, and a calm presence in possession. His ability to play both centrally and out wide gives coaches tactical flexibility, while his scoring record at Stanford demonstrates an unusual comfort in attacking moments for a defender. Coaches have often praised his reading of the game and his willingness to step into midfield to break up play before regaining possession for his team.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beason’s career has been marked by several signature moments, including three NCAA National Championships with Stanford and a top-15 selection in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft. Reaching 121 appearances for the San Jose Earthquakes stands as one of his most significant professional milestones, and his first MLS start for the New England Revolution, a clean sheet against Atlanta United, offered an early highlight of his time in New England.
Tanner Beason Career Highlights
Across his time at Stanford and in Major League Soccer, Beason has assembled a résumé that includes three NCAA National Championships, two First Team All-American selections, and Pac-12 Player of the Year honors. In the professional ranks, his five seasons with the San Jose Earthquakes produced 121 appearances, while his early appearances for the New England Revolution have already contributed to key clean-sheet performances for his new club.
Stanford and College Highlights
Beason won NCAA National Championships in 2015, 2016, and 2017 as part of Stanford’s dominant run. He earned First Team All-Pac-12 honors in 2017 and 2018, was named Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2018, and collected First Team All-American recognition in 2018 and 2019. He was also a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist in both 2018 and 2019, recognition reserved for the top collegiate players in the country.
Professional Performances
In USL League Two, Beason appeared for North Carolina Fusion U23 in 2016 and San Francisco City in 2018 and 2019. Since turning professional, he has logged 121 appearances for the San Jose Earthquakes and has begun his New England Revolution career with a clean sheet against Atlanta United.
Tanner Beason Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Beason was raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where his family supported his early development in the sport. His progression through the North Carolina Fusion academy reflects the strong youth soccer infrastructure of his home state, and his commitment to Stanford University marked an important family-supported step in his path toward a professional career.
Personal Life
Publicly available details about Beason’s personal life remain limited. He continues his professional career in Major League Soccer with the New England Revolution, where he is signed through 2026 with a club option for 2027.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents a new beginning for Beason with the New England Revolution. Signed in December 2024 on a two-year deal, he arrived in Foxborough with five seasons of MLS experience already behind him and an immediate opportunity to compete for a starting role at center back.
His first months in New England offered an encouraging start. After debuting as a substitute in late March, Beason delivered a full 90 minutes in a 1–0 victory over Atlanta United in April, anchoring a clean sheet that showcased his defensive reliability. The performance suggested an early partnership forming within the Revolution’s back line.
Looking ahead across the remainder of 2025, Beason’s combination of aerial presence, positional awareness, and versatility across the back line should keep him firmly in the Revolution’s rotation. As the season progresses, his experience from 121 appearances with the San Jose Earthquakes is expected to play a central role in New England’s push for a stronger defensive record and a return to playoff contention.