Joevin Jones

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2018-19 (SV Darmstadt 98/Seattle): Jones started 22 of his 28 appearances in his second season for Darmstadt, scoring two goals in 1,931 minutes. At the time of his signing, Darmstadt sat 10^th in the 2. Bundesliga table with 43 points (12-13-7). Jones appeared in 17 contests in his return to Seattle after re-signing with the club on May 7. The Trinidad & Tobago international started nine matches, recording 921 minutes and two assists. He started all four playoff matches, including a full 90 minutes in Seattle’s 3-1 victory over Toronto FC in MLS Cup (November 10) after recording an assist in the club’s 3-1 victory at LAFC in the Western Conference Championship (October 30).

2017-18 (SV Darmstadt 98): Jones played 1,368 minutes in his first season for Darmstadt, starting all 16 of his appearances and scoring four goals in the club’s first season in 2. Bundesliga (the German second division) following relegation from the topflight in 2016-2017. Darmstadt finished 10^th in the standings in the 2017-2018 campaign with 43 points (10-11-13).

2017 (Seattle): In his second season in Seattle, Jones appeared in 30 games, including 28 starts, and recorded one goal and 11 assists. He posted three multi-assist games after entering the season with four assists in 61 career contests. His 11 assists rank as the sixth-highest total in a single season in club history. Jones also recorded career highs in shots (27) and shots on goal (6). Jones started all five of his appearances in the 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs, recording two assists, five shots and two shots on goal, helping Sounders FC to an appearance in MLS Cup.

2016 (Seattle): Jones emerged as one of the league’s best left backs in his first season with the Rave Green, as he scored two goals and added three assists in 33 league appearances, including 29 starts. In a reserve role, Jones scored a late goal to solidify a 2-0 win at D.C. United (June 1). He added another goal in the team’s emphatic 5-0 win over FC Dallas (July 13). He provided game-tying service at Toronto FC (July 2) and at Houston (August 24), plus the game-winning assist in a home Cascadia match against Vancouver (October 2). Jones started all six postseason matches and set a new club record with three assists, including a pair in the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinal against FC Dallas (October 30). During the shootout at MLS Cup, Jones successfully converted the club’s fourth attempt from the spot (December 10). 

2015 (Chicago): In his first season in MLS, Jones made 28 appearances (26 starts) for the Chicago Fire, logging 2,257 minutes. He scored his first league goal against the San Jose Earthquakes on March 22 and recorded his first league assist against Toronto FC on April 4. The Trinidad & Tobago native also appeared in two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches against Orlando City SC and the Philadelphia Union.

2014 (HJK Helsinki): After completing his professional career with W Connection, Jones went on loan to Finland’s most successful club, HJK Helsinki. While competing in the Finnish League, Jones made six appearances.

2009 – 2014 (W Connection): At the age of 17, Jones made his debut with W Connection – a professional club in Trinidad and Tobago’s TT League – after spending two seasons with the club’s youth program. Jones went on to play in 55 league matches for the Savonetta Boys, scoring 26 goals. In 2011 and 2013, Jones helped W Connection earn Pro League titles. After finishing second in the 2012 CFU Club Championship, the club qualified for the 2012-2013 CONCACAF Champions League, where Jones appeared in three fixtures. In 2013, Jones ranked second in the league with 14 scoring tallies.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Jones made his international debut with Trinidad & Tobago on September 7, 2010. Ever since that date, he has been a consistent presence for the Soca Warriors, making 71 appearances with eight goals. In 2012, Jones helped his country earn a qualification to its first CONCACAF Gold Cup in six years after finishing second in the Caribbean Cup. In a Group Stage match of the 2013 Gold Cup against El Salvador, Jones provided a long pass to setup a goal that secured a draw. In the 2015 Gold Cup, Jones recorded his first career international goal in the Group Stage against Guatemala. During a Group Stage match against Mexico, Jones recorded an assist from a corner kick on the final play of the match to equalize the score and secure first place in the group. Jones finished tied for fifth in scoring with five goals during CONCACAF 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, including a brace against Guatemala.

PERSONAL

The son of Kelvin and Merlin, Jones has two brothers – Marvin and Alvin. His father is a former defender for the Trinidad & Tobago national team. At age 14, Jones attended Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in addition to competing in the youth program at TT Pro League club Defence Force. He ultimately stuck with W Connection’s youth program in Couva, Trinidad.

ACQUIRED

Signed by Sounders FC using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) on May 8, 2019.