Ryan James (soccer)

Ryan James

James with Nashville SC in 2018
Personal information
Full name	Ryan Lee James
Date of birth	(1994-04-21) April 21, 1994 (age 29)
Place of birth	Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Height	1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
0000–2011	Dixie SC
2012	Toronto FC
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2012–2015	Bowling Green Falcons	79	(9)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2012	TFC Academy
2015	Toronto FC III	1	(0)
2016–2017	Rochester Rhinos	59	(1)
2018	Nashville SC	16	(0)
2019–2020	Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC	50	(5)
2021–2022	Birmingham Legion FC	59	(1)
2023	HFX Wanderers	6	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of June 22, 2023

Ryan Lee James (born April 21, 1994) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a defender. ^[1]

Early life

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]

College career

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]

Club career

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

At the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, James was drafted in the third round (52nd overall) by Sporting Kansas City. ^{[24] [25]} He attended pre-season with the team, ^{[26] [27]} however, he did not ultimately sign with the club. ^{[28] [29]}

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. ^{[30] [31]}

In November 2018, James signed a one-year contract, with a club option for 2020 with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. ^[32] In April 2019, he was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for the first time. ^[33] He scored his first goal for the Riverhounds on August 1, 2020, against Philadelphia Union II. ^[34] 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). ^{[35] [36]} After another two-goal performance against the Hartford Athletic on September 12, he was once again named to the Team of the Week. ^{[37] [38]} For the 2020 season, he was named the Steel Army (the Riverhounds' supporters group) Player of the Year. ^[39]

In December 2020, James signed a multi-year contract with Birmingham Legion FC. ^{[40] [41]} He scored his first goal for the Legion on July 9, 2022, against the Charleston Battery. ^[42] In July 2022, he was named to the USL Team of the Week. ^[43]

In February 2023, he signed a one-year contract with a club option for 2024, with the HFX Wanderers in the Canadian Premier League. ^[44] He was named an assistant captain for the 2023 season. ^[45] He made his debut for the club on April 15, 2023, against Atlético Ottawa. ^[46] In July 2023, it was announced that he would miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery due to injury. ^{[47] [48]} In December 2023, the Wanderers declined his option for 2024. ^[49]

International career

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]

Personal life

James is the younger brother of Evan James, who is also a professional soccer player. ^{[50] [51]} 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. ^{[52] [53]}

Career statistics

As of June 22, 2023 ^[54]

Club	League	Season	League		Playoffs		Domestic Cup		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Toronto FC III	Premier Development League	2015 [55]	1	0	—		—		1	0
Rochester Rhinos	USL	2016	27	1	2	0	0	0	29	1
		2017	32	0	2	0	1	0	35	0
	Total		59	1	4	0	1	0	64	1
Nashville SC	USL	2018	16	0	0	0	3	0	19	0
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC	USL Championship	2019	34	0	2	0	2	0	38	0
		2020	16	5	1	0	—		17	5
	Total		50	5	3	0	2	0	55	5
Birmingham Legion FC	USL Championship	2021	32	0	1	0	—		33	0
		2022	27	1	1	0	2	0	30	1
	Total		59	1	2	0	2	0	63	1
HFX Wanderers FC	Canadian Premier League	2023	6	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
Career Total			191	7	9	0	8	0	208	7

References

1. Sullivan, Tim (March 27, 2018). "From the Film Room: Ryan James, all-field threat". Club & Country.
2. Ryan James at the Canadian Soccer Association
3. Jacques, John (February 15, 2023). "Halifax Wanderers Reinforce Backline With Ryan James". Northern Tribune.
4. "Ryan James Bowling Green profile". Bowling Green Falcons .
5. "Nichols, Falcons Announce 2012 Men's Soccer Recruiting Class". Bowling Green Falcons . February 6, 2012.
6. "Falcons Battle No. 18 CCU to 3–3 Draw". Bowling Green Falcons . September 9, 2012.
7. "James is Golden as Falcons Down Wright State, 3-2". Bowling Green Falcons . October 30, 2012.
8. "James, Tonyan Named Pizza Hut Athletes Of The Week". Bowling Green Falcons . November 5, 2012.
9. "Six Falcons Named to Academic All-Ohio Team". Bowling Green Falcons . January 11, 2014.
10. "Three Falcons Named to Academic All-MAC First Team". Bowling Green Falcons . December 18, 2013.
11. "Falcons Land Two on All-Region Team". Bowling Green Falcons . December 10, 2014.
12. "Five Falcons Earn All-MAC Honors". Bowling Green Falcons . November 13, 2014.
13. "Three Falcons Named to All-Ohio Team". Bowling Green Falcons . December 28, 2014.
14. "Seven Falcons Earn Academic All-MAC Honors". Bowling Green Falcons . January 8, 2015.
15. "MAC Names Distinguished Scholar Athletes For Fall Semester". Bowling Green Falcons . February 6, 2015.
16. "Auden, Genrich & James to Captain Falcons". Bowling Green Falcons . July 31, 2015.
17. "Ryan James Named a Finalist for 2015 Senior CLASS Award". Bowling Green Falcons . September 3, 2015.
18. "Flynn, James Earn All-MAC Honors". Bowling Green Falcons . November 12, 2015.
19. "Eight Falcons Earn Academic All-MAC Honors". Bowling Green Falcons . December 1, 2015.
20. "James, Nocella Receive MAC Medal of Excellence Award". Bowling Green Falcons . June 1, 2016.
21. Davidson, Neil (January 19, 2016). "Canadians Ryan James, Josh Heard taken in conclusion of MLS SuperDraft". CTV News .
22. "Ryan James Invited to MLS Combine". Bowling Green Falcons . December 12, 2015.
23. "Ryan James Chosen in MLS SuperDraft". Bowling Green Falcons . January 19, 2016.
24. Gartland, Ben (January 19, 2016). "Sporting KC select James and Hajderovic". The Blue Testament.
25. Becoats, Kellen (January 21, 2016). "Ryan James joins Sporting KC after being drafted in 3rd round". Hustle Belt.
26. "Checking In With Ryan James". Bowling Green Falcons . January 28, 2016.
27. "Checking In With Ryan James II". Bowling Green Falcons . February 3, 2016.
28. Tierney, Mitchell (February 15, 2023). "Halifax Wanderers add Canadian fullback Ryan James". Canadian Premier League .
29. "Riverhounds player profile: Ryan James". WPGH-TV . August 23, 2020.
30. Organ, Mike (December 14, 2017). "Nashville SC signs four more players". The Tennessean .
31. "Nashville SC Signs Four Young Players to Bolster Versatility and Depth of 2018 Squad". December 14, 2017. Archived from the original on December 15, 2017.
32. "Hounds sign defender Ryan James". Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC . November 28, 2018. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018.
33. Krysinsky, John (April 30, 2019). "Ryan James earns spot on USL Championship Team of the Week". Pittsburgh Soccer Now.
34. Stuges, Amanda (August 1, 2020). "Riverhounds' stars shine in shutout of Philadelphia Union II". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette .
35. Krysinsky, John (September 1, 2020). "Hounds' Ryan James named USL Championship Player of the Week; Dover earns Team of Week honors". Pittsburgh Soccer Now.
36. "Ryan James named USL Championship Player of the Week". Pittsburgh Riverhounds . September 1, 2020.
37. Krysinsky, John (September 15, 2020). "Hounds' Ryan James lands on USL Team of Week again; Ropapa Mensah honored too". Pittsburgh Soccer Now.
38. "Ryan James named to USL Championship Team of the Week". Pittsburgh Riverhounds . September 15, 2020.
39. "Your 2020 Player of the Year is Ryan James". Steel Army. October 6, 2020.
40. Krysinsky, John (December 3, 2020). "Ryan James signs with Birmingham Legion FC". Pittsburgh Soccer Now.
41. "Legion FC Signs Defender Ryan James". Birmingham Legion FC . December 3, 2020.
42. Turrentine, Caleb (July 10, 2022). "Legion bounce back on the road with first three-goal win of the season". ABC 33/40 .
43. Humphries, Clayton (July 19, 2022). "Ryan James Named to USL Championship Team of the Week". Birmingham Legion FC .
44. "'A very experienced professional': Wanderers sign Canadian defender Ryan James". HFX Wanderers FC . February 15, 2023.
45. "Mo Omar and Ryan James named assistant captains for 2023 season". HFX Wanderers FC . April 13, 2023.
46. "Stories of the Match: Wanderers open 2023 with a draw vs. Ottawa". HFX Wanderers FC . April 15, 2023.
47. "Ryan James sidelined for remainder of 2023 season due to injury". HFX Wanderers FC . July 12, 2023.
48. Jacques, John (July 12, 2023). "Wanderers Defender Ryan James Out For Remainder Of Season". Northern Tribune.
49. "Wanderers trigger options on three players as part of year-end roster moves". HFX Wanderers FC . December 19, 2023.
50. Richardson, Garrett (October 17, 2021). "Ryan James - From Mississauga To Birmingham". USL Championship .
51. Davidson, Neil (January 11, 2016). "Canadian James aims for soccer's pro ranks". TSN .
52. Johnson, El (September 28, 2022). "Ryan James of Birmingham Legion FC receives a US Soccer Coaching License Scholarship from Kwik Goal". 2 Cents.
53. "Kwik Goal Awards Birmingham Legion FC's Ryan James U.S. Soccer Coaching License Scholarship". United Soccer League . September 28, 2022.
54. Ryan James at Soccerway
55. "2015 PDL Stats". USL League Two .

External links

• Ryan James at Soccerway