Ryan James (soccer)

James began playing youth soccer at age four with Dixie SC.{{Canada Soccer player|id=1603}} He later joined the Toronto FC Academy.{{Cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/halifax-wanderers-ryan-james-2023/|title=Halifax Wanderers Reinforce Backline With Ryan James|date=February 15, 2023|work=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques}} He was a member of the Ontario provincial team at both the U14 and U16 levels, winning a silver medal at both national tournaments.{{cite web|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/ryan-james/5333|title=Ryan James Bowling Green profile|work=Bowling Green Falcons}}

In 2012, he committed to attend Bowling Green University to play for the men's soccer team.{{cite web|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2012/2/6/MSOC_0206120429.aspx|title=Nichols, Falcons Announce 2012 Men's Soccer Recruiting Class|date=February 6, 2012|work=Bowling Green Falcons}} On September 9, 2012, James recorded his first collegiate goal and his first assist in a 3–3 draw against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.{{cite web|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2012/9/9/MSOC_0909123332.aspx|title=Falcons Battle No. 18 CCU to 3–3 Draw|date=September 9, 2012|work=Bowling Green Falcons}} On October 30, 2012, he scored a brace in a 3–2 victory over the Wright State Raiders,{{cite web|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2012/10/30/MSOC_1030121506.aspx|title=James is Golden as Falcons Down Wright State, 3-2|date=October 30, 2012|work=Bowling Green Falcons}} which earned him Bowling Green's Athlete of the Week honours.{{cite web|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2012/11/5/MSOC_1105120957.aspx|title=James, Tonyan Named Pizza Hut Athletes Of The Week|date=November 5, 2012|work=Bowling Green Falcons}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2014/1/11/MSOC_0111142141.aspx|title=Six Falcons Named to Academic All-Ohio Team|date=January 11, 2014|work=Bowling Green Falcons}}{{cite web|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2013/12/18/MSOC_1218134643.aspx|title=Three Falcons Named to Academic All-MAC First Team|date=December 18, 2013|work=Bowling Green Falcons}}

In his junior season, he was named to the NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region Third Team,{{Cite web|title=Falcons Land Two on All-Region Team|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2014/12/10/MSOC_1210145210.aspx|date=December 10, 2014|work=Bowling Green Falcons}} the All-MAC Second-Team,{{cite web|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2014/11/13/MSOC_1113145313.aspx|title=Five Falcons Earn All-MAC Honors|date=November 13, 2014|work=Bowling Green Falcons}} All-Ohio Second Team,{{cite web|work=Bowling Green Falcons|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2014/12/28/MSOC_1228142133.aspx|title=Three Falcons Named to All-Ohio Team|date=December 28, 2014}} Academic All-MAC Team,{{cite web|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2015/1/8/MSOC_0108152515.aspx|title=Seven Falcons Earn Academic All-MAC Honors|date=January 8, 2015|work=Bowling Green Falcons}} a MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete,{{cite web|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2015/2/6/GEN_0205153607.aspx|title=MAC Names Distinguished Scholar Athletes For Fall Semester|date=February 6, 2015|work=Bowling Green Falcons}} and an Academic All-Ohio First Team.

Ahead of his senior season, he was named a team captain.{{cite web|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2015/7/31/MSOC_0730151538.aspx|title=Auden, Genrich & James to Captain Falcons|date=July 31, 2015|work=Bowling Green Falcons}} He was named a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award,{{cite web|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2015/9/3/MSOC_0903150446.aspx|title=Ryan James Named a Finalist for 2015 Senior CLASS Award|date=September 3, 2015|work=Bowling Green Falcons}} was named to the All-MAC Second Team,{{cite web|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2015/11/12/MSOC_1112151026.aspx|title=Flynn, James Earn All-MAC Honors|date=November 12, 2015|work=Bowling Green Falcons}} Academic All-MAC Team,{{cite web|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2015/12/1/MSOC_1201151054.aspx|title=Eight Falcons Earn Academic All-MAC Honors|date=December 1, 2015|work=Bowling Green Falcons}} MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete, and was the male recipient of Bowling Green's Medal of Honor.{{cite web|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2016/6/1/general-james-nocella-receive-mac-medal-of-excellence-award.aspx|title=James, Nocella Receive MAC Medal of Excellence Award|date=June 1, 2016|work=Bowling Green Falcons}} Ahead of the MLS SuperDraft, he was invited to the MLS Combine.{{cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/canadians-ryan-james-josh-heard-taken-in-conclusion-of-mls-superdraft-1.2743768|title=Canadians Ryan James, Josh Heard taken in conclusion of MLS SuperDraft|date=January 19, 2016|work=CTV News|first=Neil|last=Davidson}}{{cite web|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2015/12/12/MSOC_1211154629.aspx|title=Ryan James Invited to MLS Combine|date=December 12, 2015|work=Bowling Green Falcons}} Over his four seasons, he played in all 79 of the team's games, scoring nine goals and adding 15 assists.{{cite web|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2016/1/19/MSOC_0118160557.aspx|date=January 19, 2016|title=Ryan James Chosen in MLS SuperDraft|work=Bowling Green Falcons}}

In 2012, James began playing with the TFC Academy in the first division of the Canadian Soccer League.{{Cite web |title=2012 TFC Academy senior team roster |url=http://www.torontofc.ca/academy/teams/roster-senior |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831000814/http://www.torontofc.ca/academy/teams/roster-senior |archive-date=31 August 2012 |access-date=13 March 2024 |website=Toronto FC}} He also appeared with TFC Academy in a Premier Development League match in 2015.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

At the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, James was drafted in the third round (52nd overall) by Sporting Kansas City.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebluetestament.com/2016/1/19/10791960/mls-draft-2016-sporting-kansas-city-select-ryan-james-and-faik|title=Sporting KC select James and Hajderovic|first=Ben|last=Gartland|date=January 19, 2016|website=The Blue Testament}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hustlebelt.com/2016/1/21/10811068/ryan-james-joins-sporting-kc-after-being-drafted-in-3rd-round|title=Ryan James joins Sporting KC after being drafted in 3rd round|work=Hustle Belt|date=January 21, 2016|first=Kellen|last=Becoats}} He attended pre-season with the team,{{cite web|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2016/1/28/MSOC_0128165153.aspx|title=Checking In With Ryan James|date=January 28, 2016|work=Bowling Green Falcons}}{{cite web|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2016/2/3/MSOC_0203163513.aspx|title=Checking In With Ryan James II|date=February 3, 2016|work=Bowling Green Falcons}} however, he did not ultimately sign with the club.{{Cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/halifax-wanderers-add-canadian-fullback-ryan-james|title=Halifax Wanderers add Canadian fullback Ryan James|date=February 15, 2023|work=Canadian Premier League|first=Mitchell|last=Tierney}}{{Cite web|url=https://wpgh53.com/sports/riverhounds/riverhounds-player-profile-ryan-james|title=Riverhounds player profile: Ryan James|date=August 23, 2020|work=WPGH-TV}}

In March 2016, James signed with the Rochester Rhinos of the USL.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

In December 2017, James signed with Nashville SC in the USL, for the 2018 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/2017/12/14/nashville-sc-signs-four-more-players-soccer-usl-liam-doyle-bradley-bourgeois-tucker-hume-ryan-james/948852001/|title=Nashville SC signs four more players|date=December 14, 2017|first=Mike|last=Organ|work=The Tennessean}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.nashvillesc.com/news_article/show/865328 |title=Nashville SC Signs Four Young Players to Bolster Versatility and Depth of 2018 Squad|archive-date=December 15, 2017|date=December 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215000803/http://www.nashvillesc.com/news_article/show/865328 |url-status=dead}}

In November 2018, James signed a one-year contract, with a club option for 2020 with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.{{cite web|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129054400/https://www.riverhounds.com/news_article/show/972179|archive-date=November 29, 2018|url=https://www.riverhounds.com/news_article/show/972179|date=November 28, 2018|title=Hounds sign defender Ryan James|work=Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC}} In April 2019, he was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for the first time.{{cite web|url=https://pittsburghsoccernow.com/2019/04/30/ryan-james-earns-spot-on-usl-championship-team-of-the-week/|date=April 30, 2019|title=Ryan James earns spot on USL Championship Team of the Week|first=John|last=Krysinsky|work=Pittsburgh Soccer Now}} He scored his first goal for the Riverhounds on August 1, 2020, against Philadelphia Union II.{{Cite web|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/soccer/2020/08/01/riverhounds-philadelphia-union-ii-recap-kenardo-forbes-usl-assists-leader/stories/202008010065|title=Riverhounds' stars shine in shutout of Philadelphia Union II|date=August 1, 2020|first=Amanda|last=Stuges|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}} 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).{{cite web|url=https://pittsburghsoccernow.com/2020/09/01/hounds-ryan-james-named-usl-championship-player-of-the-week-dover-earns-team-of-week-honors/|title=Hounds' Ryan James named USL Championship Player of the Week; Dover earns Team of Week honors|date=September 1, 2020|first=John|last=Krysinsky|work=Pittsburgh Soccer Now}}{{cite web|url=https://www.riverhounds.com/news/2020/09/01/ryan-james-named-usl-championship-player-of-the-week/|title=Ryan James named USL Championship Player of the Week|date=September 1, 2020|work=Pittsburgh Riverhounds}} After another two-goal performance against the Hartford Athletic on September 12, he was once again named to the Team of the Week.{{Cite web|url=https://pittsburghsoccernow.com/2020/09/15/hounds-ryan-james-lands-on-usl-team-of-week-again-ropapa-mensah-honored-too/|title=Hounds' Ryan James lands on USL Team of Week again; Ropapa Mensah honored too|date=September 15, 2020|first=John|last=Krysinsky|work=Pittsburgh Soccer Now}}{{cite web|url=https://www.riverhounds.com/news/2020/09/15/ryan-james-named-to-usl-championship-team-of-the-week/|title=Ryan James named to USL Championship Team of the Week|date=September 15, 2020|work=Pittsburgh Riverhounds}} For the 2020 season, he was named the Steel Army (the Riverhounds' supporters group) Player of the Year.{{cite web|url=https://steelarmy.com/2020/10/your-2020-player-of-the-year-is-ryan-james/|title=Your 2020 Player of the Year is Ryan James|date=October 6, 2020|work=Steel Army}}

In December 2020, James signed a multi-year contract with Birmingham Legion FC.{{cite web|date=December 3, 2020|work=Pittsburgh Soccer Now|url=https://pittsburghsoccernow.com/2020/12/03/ryan-james-signs-with-birmingham-legion/|title=Ryan James signs with Birmingham Legion FC|first=John|last=Krysinsky}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bhmlegion.com/news/2020/12/03/legion-fc-signs-defender-ryan-james/|title=Legion FC Signs Defender Ryan James|date=December 3, 2020|work=Birmingham Legion FC}} He scored his first goal for the Legion on July 9, 2022, against the Charleston Battery.{{Cite web|url=https://abc3340.com/sports/birmingham-legion/legion-bounce-back-on-the-road-with-first-three-goal-win-of-the-season-birmingham-usl-championship-enzo-martinez-ryan-james-jonny-dean-charleston-battery|title=Legion bounce back on the road with first three-goal win of the season|first=Caleb|last=Turrentine|date=July 10, 2022|work=ABC 33/40}} In July 2022, he was named to the USL Team of the Week.{{cite web|url=https://www.bhmlegion.com/news/2022/07/19/ryan-james-named-to-usl-championship-team-of-the-week/|title=Ryan James Named to USL Championship Team of the Week|date=July 19, 2022|work=Birmingham Legion FC|first=Clayton|last=Humphries}}

In February 2023, he signed a one-year contract with a club option for 2024, with the HFX Wanderers in the Canadian Premier League.{{cite web|url=https://hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca/article/a-very-experienced-professional-wanderers-sign-canadian-defender-ryan-james|title='A very experienced professional': Wanderers sign Canadian defender Ryan James|date=February 15, 2023|work=HFX Wanderers FC}} He was named an assistant captain for the 2023 season.{{Cite web|url=https://hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca/article/mo-omar-and-ryan-james-named-assistant-captains-for-2023-season|title=Mo Omar and Ryan James named assistant captains for 2023 season|date=April 13, 2023|work=HFX Wanderers FC}} He made his debut for the club on April 15, 2023, against Atlético Ottawa.{{cite web|url=https://hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca/article/26406|title=Stories of the Match: Wanderers open 2023 with a draw vs. Ottawa|date=April 15, 2023|work=HFX Wanderers FC}} In July 2023, it was announced that he would miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery due to injury.{{Cite web|url=https://hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca/article/ryan-james-sidelined-for-remainder-of-2023-season-due-to-injury|title=Ryan James sidelined for remainder of 2023 season due to injury|date=July 12, 2023|work=HFX Wanderers FC}}{{Cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/halifax-wanderers-ryan-james/|title=Wanderers Defender Ryan James Out For Remainder Of Season|date=July 12, 2023|work=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques}} In December 2023, the Wanderers declined his option for 2024.{{cite web|url=https://hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca/article/wanderers-trigger-options-on-three-players-as-part-of-year-end-roster-moves|title=Wanderers trigger options on three players as part of year-end roster moves|date=December 19, 2023|work=HFX Wanderers FC}}

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.

James is the younger brother of Evan James, who is also a professional soccer player.{{cite web|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1188666|title=Ryan James - From Mississauga To Birmingham|date=October 17, 2021|first=Garrett|last=Richardson|work=USL Championship}}{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/canadian-james-aims-for-soccer-s-pro-ranks-1.421359|title=Canadian James aims for soccer's pro ranks|date=January 11, 2016|work=TSN|first=Neil|last=Davidson}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://2centsfc.com/ryan-james-of-birmingham-legion-fc-receives-a-us-soccer-coaching-license-scholarship-from-kwik-goal/|title=Ryan James of Birmingham Legion FC receives a US Soccer Coaching License Scholarship from Kwik Goal|first=El|last=Johnson|work=2 Cents|date=September 28, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/1241203|title=Kwik Goal Awards Birmingham Legion FC's Ryan James U.S. Soccer Coaching License Scholarship|work=United Soccer League|date=September 28, 2022}}

{{updated|August 31, 2024}}{{Soccerway|ryan-james/437950}}

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Category:1994 births

Category:Living people

Category:Canadian men's soccer players

Category:Canadian expatriate men's soccer players

Category:Bowling Green Falcons men's soccer players

Category:Maryland Terrapins men's soccer players

Category:Rochester New York FC players

Category:Nashville SC (2018–19) players

Category:Men's association football defenders

Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States

Category:Sporting Kansas City draft picks

Category:USL Championship players

Category:Toronto FC players

Category:Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC players

Category:Birmingham Legion FC players

Category:Canadian Soccer League (1998–present) players

Category:Soccer players from Mississauga

Category:Canadian sportspeople of Jamaican descent

Category:Black Canadian men's soccer players

Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in the United States

Category:USL League Two players

Category:HFX Wanderers FC players

Category:Canadian Premier League players

Category:Toronto FC Academy players

Category:Scrosoppi FC players

Category:League1 Ontario players

Category:21st-century Canadian sportsmen