SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that they have signed former Stanford midfielder and first-round SuperDraft pick JJ Koval. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"I'm very excited. It's been a dream of mine to get an opportunity to play professional soccer for a long time,” Koval said. “I'm thankful for the chance and look forward to playing for the San Jose Earthquakes."
Koval, 21, was a standout midfielder during his four seasons with the Cardinal, earning a starting role as a freshman and appearing in 74 games during his career. He earned All-Pac 12 honors as both a junior and a senior with the Cardinal, including a spot on the All-Pac-12 First Team in 2013. A central midfielder, he scored six goals and posted four assists during his collegiate career. As a senior, he helped Stanford reach the third round of the NCAA Tournament, defeating Loyola Marymount and Cal State Northridge along the way.
He also spent the summer playing for the Ventura County Fusion in the PDL in 2013 and played his youth soccer for Real So Cal. At Stanford, he was twice named to the Pac-12 All-Academic Team. He is the 12th Stanford player to be drafted by the Earthquakes.
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – San Jose Earthquakes sign M JJ Koval.
JJ Koval
Jersey Number: 28
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-1
Weight: 175 lbs.
Born: May 19, 1992 in Westlake Village, Calif.
Hometown: Camarillo, Calif.
College: Stanford
Citizenship: USA
"I'm very excited. It's been a dream of mine to get an opportunity to play professional soccer for a long time,” Koval said. “I'm thankful for the chance and look forward to playing for the San Jose Earthquakes."
Koval, 21, was a standout midfielder during his four seasons with the Cardinal, earning a starting role as a freshman and appearing in 74 games during his career. He earned All-Pac 12 honors as both a junior and a senior with the Cardinal, including a spot on the All-Pac-12 First Team in 2013. A central midfielder, he scored six goals and posted four assists during his collegiate career. As a senior, he helped Stanford reach the third round of the NCAA Tournament, defeating Loyola Marymount and Cal State Northridge along the way.
He also spent the summer playing for the Ventura County Fusion in the PDL in 2013 and played his youth soccer for Real So Cal. At Stanford, he was twice named to the Pac-12 All-Academic Team. He is the 12th Stanford player to be drafted by the Earthquakes.
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – San Jose Earthquakes sign M JJ Koval.
JJ Koval
Jersey Number: 28
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-1
Weight: 175 lbs.
Born: May 19, 1992 in Westlake Village, Calif.
Hometown: Camarillo, Calif.
College: Stanford
Citizenship: USA
