Tahj Jakins
Encyclopedia
Tahj Jakins is a retired U.S. soccer defender
who played five seasons in Major League Soccer
.
recognition. That year, he also played in two games with the U.S. national B-Team, but was never called up to the senior national team.
selected Jakins with the first pick in the 1997 MLS College Draft
. He was a regular with the Rapids for three seasons. In 2000, he played one game before being waived on April 7, 2000. The Kansas City Wizards
then signed him. He played two games for them that season, but spent several loan periods away from the team. In 2000, he played for the MLS Pro-40 and Raleigh Capital Express of the USL A-League. In 2001, he went on loan to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds
. The Wizards waived Jakins on November 17, 2001. He may have also played for the Minnesota Thunder
.
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who played five seasons in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
.
Youth
Born in Utah, Jakins grew up in southern California, playing for the North Huntington Beach Futbol Club. In 1993, he entered UCLA where he played on the school’s soccer team. In 1996, he earned first team All AmericanDivision I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
recognition. That year, he also played in two games with the U.S. national B-Team, but was never called up to the senior national team.
Professional
On February 1, 1997, the Colorado RapidsColorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
selected Jakins with the first pick in the 1997 MLS College Draft
1997 MLS College Draft
The 1997 Major League Soccer College Draft.On February 1 and 2, 1997, Major League Soccer held its second annual college draft in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The draft was held in conjunction with the Umbro Select College All-Star Classic. The game was played on Saturday, February 1, 1997 at...
. He was a regular with the Rapids for three seasons. In 2000, he played one game before being waived on April 7, 2000. The Kansas City Wizards
Kansas City Wizards
Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
then signed him. He played two games for them that season, but spent several loan periods away from the team. In 2000, he played for the MLS Pro-40 and Raleigh Capital Express of the USL A-League. In 2001, he went on loan to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Pittsburgh Riverhounds is an American professional soccer team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
. The Wizards waived Jakins on November 17, 2001. He may have also played for the Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...
.