Jacob Shaffelburg

Jacob Shaffelburg

Shaffelburg playing for Toronto FC in 2020
Personal information
Full name	Jacob Everett Shaffelburg [1]
Date of birth	(1999-11-26) November 26, 1999 (age 24)
Place of birth	Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada [2]
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Winger
Team information
Current team	Nashville SC
Number	14
Youth career
	Valley United SC
2012–2014	FC Nashville Heroes
2014	Sporting Kansas City
	Manhattan SC
2016–2019	Toronto FC
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017	Toronto FC III	1	(0)
2018	Black Rock FC	7	(8)
2019	Toronto FC II	15	(2)
2019–2022	Toronto FC	46	(3)
2021–2022	→ Toronto FC II (loan)	2	(0)
2022	→ Nashville SC (loan)	8	(2)
2023–	Nashville SC	34	(3)
International career‡
2020–	Canada	8	(2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of April 7, 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of March 23, 2024

Jacob Everett Shaffelburg (born November 26, 1999) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a winger for Major League Soccer club Nashville SC and the Canada national team.

Early life

Shaffelburg played youth soccer for Valley United SC and Team Nova Scotia. ^[3] In 2012, he joined FC Nashville Heroes, where he played in the 2012 U.S. Club Soccer National Cup. ^[4] In January 2014, he joined the Sporting Kansas City Academy, where he played for a month. ^[4] At age 15, he began attending high school in Massachusetts at the Berkshire School, where he played for their highly regarded soccer program. ^{[5] [6]} He played an instrumental part in the team, scoring four goals in two games in the NEPSAC playoffs his senior year (2018), helping Berkshire win their fifth title in seven years ^[7] and he was named 2017–18 Gatorade Massachusetts Boys Soccer Player of the Year. ^[8] While in the US, he also played youth soccer with Manhattan SC where he won U.S. Club Soccer U-16 National Championship in 2016. ^[9]

He joined the Toronto FC Academy in 2016. ^[10] He appeared in a friendly for the HFX Wanderers FC Atlantic Selects team in 2018 against Fortuna Düsseldorf's U-21 team, where he scored a goal. ^[11] He had originally committed to the University of Virginia on a soccer scholarship, but ultimately decided to sign a professional contract instead. ^[12]

Club career

He played a game with Toronto FC III in League1 Ontario in 2017. ^[9]

In 2018, he played with Black Rock FC in the Premier Development League. He finished as the team's leading scorer with eight goals, tied with Ifunanyachi Achara. ^[13]

In November 2018, he signed his first professional contract with Toronto FC II ^[9] and began the 2019 season with them in USL League One. ^[14]

Shaffelburg made his first appearance for Toronto FC in the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League on February 19, 2019 and then signed with Toronto FC as a Homegrown Player on June 21, 2019. ^[8] He made his first MLS appearance the following day, playing 31 minutes against FC Dallas in Frisco, Texas. ^[15] Four days later, on June 26, he had his first start for Toronto FC at BMO Field scoring an assist in a 3–2 win against Atlanta United FC, ^[16] setting up the fastest goal in TFC history only 29 seconds into the game. ^[17] Shaffelburg would quickly find himself in the starting lineup shortly after signing, earning rave reviews for his pace from the coaching staff. ^[18] He scored his first goal in the 74th minute on 15 May 2021, in a 1–1 draw against New York City. ^[19] On September 3, he was loaned to Toronto FC II. ^[20] Upon completion of the 2021 season, Shaffelburg's option for the 2022 season would be picked up by Toronto. ^[21] He went on a short loan to the second team again in 2022. ^[22]

Jacob (in yellow) playing for Nashville SC 2023

In August 2022, Shaffelburg joined Nashville SC on loan for the remainder of the 2022 season, with an option for a permanent transfer in 2023. ^[23] He made his debut for Nashville on August 21 against FC Dallas and scored a goal in a 4–0 victory. ^[24] After the season, Nashville exercised the purchase option for the 2023 season and signed him to a four-year contract extension with a club option for 2027. ^{[25] [26]}

International career

Youth

Shaffelburg was named to the Canadian U-23 provisional roster for the 2020 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship on February 26, 2020. ^[27]

Senior

Shaffelburg received his first senior international call-up to Canada on January 3, 2020, for matches against Barbados and Iceland. ^[28] On January 10, 2023, he made his debut as a substitute against Barbados. ^[29]

On July 9, 2023, he scored his first goal for Canada during the quarterfinals of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup against the United States. The Canadians would end overtime tied 2–2 with the Americans, but lose 2–3 during the penalty shootout. ^[30]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played April 7, 2024 ^[31]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Playoffs		National cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Toronto FC III	2017 [32]	League1 Ontario	1	0	—		—		—		—		1	0
Black Rock FC	2018 [33]	PDL	7	8	—		—		—		—		7	8
Toronto FC II	2019	USL League One	15	2	—		—		—		—		15	2
Toronto FC	2019	Major League Soccer	10	0	—		2	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	—		13	0
	2020		4 [lower-alpha 2]	0	—		—		—		1 [lower-alpha 3]	0	5	0
	2021		19	3	—		3	1	4 [lower-alpha 1]	0	—		26	4
	2022		13	0	0	0	3 [lower-alpha 4]	0	—		—		16	0
	Total		46	3	0	0	8	1	5	0	1	0	60	4
Toronto FC II (loan)	2021	USL League One	1	0	—		—		—		—		1	0
	2022	MLS Next Pro	1	0	—		—		—		—		1	0
	Total		2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Nashville SC (loan)	2022	Major League Soccer	8	2	1	0	—		—		—		9	2
Nashville SC	2023	Major League Soccer	28	3	2	0	3	0	—		6 [lower-alpha 5]	1	39	4
	2024	Major League Soccer	6	0	0	0	0	0	4 [lower-alpha 1]	3	0	0	10	4
	Total		42	5	3	0	3	0	4	3	6	1	58	9
Career total			113	18	3	0	11	1	9	3	7	1	143	23

1. Appearance(s) in CONCACAF Champions League/Cup
2. Includes two appearances in MLS is Back Tournament group stage
3. Appearance in MLS is Back Tournament knockout stage
4. Includes appearance in 2020 Canadian Championship final (played in 2022)
5. Appearances in Leagues Cup

International

As of match played March 23, 2024

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Canada	2020	1	0
	2021	2	0
	2022	1	0
	2023	3	1
	2024	1	1
Total		8	2

Scores and results list Canada's goal tally first.

List of international goals scored by Jacob Shaffelburg

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	9 July 2023	TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, United States	7	United States	2–1	2–2 (2–3 p)	2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup
2	23 March 2024	Toyota Stadium, Frisco, United States	8	Trinidad and Tobago	2–0	2–0	2024 Copa América qualifying play-offs

Honours

Toronto FC

• Canadian Championship: 2020 ^[34]

Individual

• Canadian Championship Best Young Canadian Player Award: 2021 ^[35]

References

1. "National Team Roster 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup" (PDF). CONCACAF .
2. Jacob Shaffelburg at the Canadian Soccer Association
3. Thompson, Ashley (August 11, 2018). "Living the Dream: 'He has his eyes set on mastery'". SaltWire Network . Retrieved August 10, 2019.
4. Hills, Drake (September 13, 2022). "He scores goals for Nashville SC — but his connection to the city dates back 10 years". The Tennessean .
5. Sigal, Jonathan (June 21, 2019). "Toronto FC sign forward Jacob Shaffelburg to Homegrown Player deal". Major League Soccer . Retrieved June 21, 2019.
6. Palmeter, Paul (October 29, 2021). "Nova Scotia's Shaffelburg gains valuable experience with Toronto FC, Team Canada". CBC .
7. Hayes, Michael (November 19, 2018). "Bears Capture Fifth Soccer Title With 3-1 Win Over Worcester Academy". Berkshire School. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
8. "Port Williams' Shaffelburg signs first-team deal with Toronto FC". The Chronicle Herald . Halifax, Nova Scotia. June 21, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
9. "Toronto FC II sign Jacob Shaffelburg". Toronto FC . November 28, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
10. "Jacob Shaffelburg Toronto FC Profile". Toronto FC .
11. Palov, Willy (July 28, 2018). "Wanderers win shootout thriller over Fortuna Dusseldorf". The Chronicle Herald. Archived from the original on July 29, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
12. Grossi, James (November 28, 2018). "TFC II add Shaffelburg ahead of 2019 USL League One season". Waking The Red. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
13. Smith, Geoff (July 10, 2018). "Black Rock FC wins PDL Northeast Division title in first season". Berkshire Eagle. Bennington Banner. Retrieved May 22, 2020.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
14. Palov, Willy (August 1, 2019). "Shaffelburg on soccer fast track with Toronto FC". The Chronice Herald. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
15. Buffery, Steve (June 23, 2019). "Jacob Shaffelburg climbs the ladder and gets his first taste of MLS action". Toronto Sun. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
16. Wharnsby, Tim (June 28, 2019). "Nova Scotia teen Jacob Shaffelburg impresses in starting debut for TFC". Toronto Star . pp. S6. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
17. Wharnsby, Tim (June 26, 2019). "Toronto FC over Atlanta in a wild ride of late penalty kicks and record fast goals". The Globe and Mail . Toronto. The Canadian Press . Retrieved June 29, 2019.
18. Davidson, Neil (August 2, 2019). "Teenage winger Jacob Shaffelburg rapidly making his name at Toronto FC". Toronto Star. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
19. "Shaffelburg's goal pulls Toronto into 1-1 draw with NYCFC". Toronto Star . May 15, 2021.
20. "Toronto FC loan Jacob Shaffelburg to Toronto FC II". Toronto FC . September 3, 2021.
21. "Toronto FC Announce Year-End Roster Decisions". Toronto FC. December 1, 2021.
22. "Toronto FC loan Jacob Shaffelburg to Toronto FC II". Toronto FC . July 3, 2022.
23. "Toronto FC send Jacob Shaffelburg on loan to Nashville SC for GAM". Toronto FC . August 2, 2022.
24. Hunte, Sydney (August 22, 2022). "Nashville SC's playoff hopes get "shot in the arm" with lopsided win over FC Dallas".
25. "Toronto FC receive GAM in exchange for Jacob Shaffelburg". Toronto FC . November 16, 2022.
26. Jacques, John (November 16, 2022). "Official: Shaffelburg Inks Four-Year Deal With Nashville". Northern Tribune.
27. "Canada Soccer announces Provisional List for Concacaf Men's Olympic Qualifying". Canada Soccer. February 26, 2020. Archived from the original on March 9, 2020. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
28. "Canada Soccer's Men's National Team holds January camp". Canada Soccer. January 3, 2020. Archived from the original on January 3, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
29. "Canadian men's soccer comfortably dispatches Barbados in friendly rematch". CBC Sports. January 10, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
30. O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (July 10, 2023). "Match Analysis: CanMNT heartbroken in Gold Cup QF penalty shootout vs. USA". Canadian Premier League .
31. Jacob Shaffelburg at Soccerway
32. "TFCIII Statistics". League1 Ontario . Retrieved May 22, 2020.
33. "Black Rock FC - Jacob Shaffelburg Stats". USL League Two . Retrieved May 22, 2020.
34. "At last, Toronto FC capture 2020 Canadian Championship over Forge FC". Major League Soccer. June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
35. "L'Impact de Montréal remporte le Championnat canadien" . Retrieved November 28, 2021.

External links

• Jacob Shaffelburg at USL League One