Niki Jackson Explained

Niki Jackson
Birth Date:25 August 1995
Birth Place:Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States
Height:5 ft 10 in
Position:Forward
Currentclub:San Diego Loyal
Clubnumber:12
Youthyears1:–2007
Youthclubs1:SCSA Falcons
Youthyears2:2009–2010
Youthclubs2:West Coast FC
Youthyears3:2011
Youthclubs3:FC Phoenix
Youthyears4:2013–2014
Youthclubs4:Real Salt Lake
Collegeyears1:2014–2017
College1:Grand Canyon Antelopes
Collegecaps1:69
Collegegoals1:41
Years1:2018–2020
Clubs1:Colorado Rapids
Caps1:19
Goals1:3
Years2:2018
Clubs2:Colorado Springs Switchbacks (loan)
Caps2:4
Goals2:0
Years3:2019
Clubs3:Charlotte Independence (loan)
Caps3:23
Goals3:5
Years4:2020
Clubs4:Colorado Springs Switchbacks (loan)
Caps4:0
Goals4:0
Years5:2021–
Clubs5:San Diego Loyal
Caps5:5
Goals5:0
Years6:2021
Clubs6:South Georgia Tormenta (loan)
Caps6:8
Goals6:0
Club-Update:November 2, 2021

Niki Jackson (born August 25, 1995) is an American soccer player who plays as a forward for San Diego Loyal in the USL Championship. He grew up in Collierville, Tennessee and Scottsdale, Arizona before attending Cactus Shadows High School and Grand Canyon University.[1]

Career

Grand Canyon University

Jackson played four years of college soccer at Grand Canyon University between 2014 and 2017. He was coached his first year by Petar Draksin at GCU and the following three seasons by Schellas Hyndman. During his time with the Antelopes, Jackson scored 41 goals and tallied nine assists in 69 appearances.[2] He was the program's second ever MLS SuperDraft pick after teammate Amir Šašivarević went one round earlier in the same draft.

Colorado Rapids

On January 21, 2018, Jackson was selected 73rd overall in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft by Colorado Rapids. He signed with the club on February 20, 2018.[3] He made his professional debut on February 28, 2018, as a 66th-minute substitute during a CONCACAF Champions League game against Toronto FC.[4] Jackson came on as a sub for his MLS debut and scored his first career goal against New England Revolution.[5] On April 21, 2018, Jackson was loaned to United Soccer League side Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.[6]

On April 12, 2019, Jackson was loaned to USL side Charlotte Independence.[7]

Following their 2020 season, Colorado opted to decline their contract option on Jackson.[8]

San Diego Loyal

On February 11, 2021, Jackson signed with USL Championship side San Diego Loyal.[9]

On August 6, 2021, Jackson moved on loan to USL League One side South Georgia Tormenta for the remainder of the season.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Arizona's Niki Jackson Drafted By The Colorado Rapids. azyouthsoccer.org. Arizona Soccer Association. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140638/http://www.azyouthsoccer.org/arizonas_niki_jackson_drafted_by_the_colorado_rapids/. June 12, 2018.
  2. Web site: Niki Jackson - 2017 Men's Soccer Roster - Grand Canyon University Athletics. gculopes.com. Grand Canyon University. March 1, 2018.
  3. Web site: Colorado Rapids sign 2018 MLS SuperDraft selection Niki Jackson. coloradorapids.com. Colorado Rapids. February 20, 2018. March 1, 2018.
  4. Web site: Boxscore: Toronto FC vs. Colorado Rapids. mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. February 28, 2018. March 1, 2018.
  5. Web site: New England Revolution vs Colorado Rapids Three Takeaways March 10, 2018. McGeorge. Alex. March 10, 2018 . coloradorapids.com . Colorado Rapids. June 15, 2020.
  6. News: Switchbacks FC Add Niki Jackson On Loan From Colorado Rapids. Huber. Joel. April 21, 2018. switchbacksfc.com. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. April 21, 2018. en-us.
  7. Web site: Colorado Rapids loan forward Niki Jackson to Charlotte Independence . coloradorapids.com. Colorado Rapids. April 12, 2019. June 15, 2020.
  8. Web site: Colorado Rapids Announce Roster Moves Ahead of 2021 Season.
  9. Web site: SD Loyal Welcomes Forward Niki Jackson. 11 February 2021.
  10. Web site: Tormenta FC Signs Forward Niki Jackson on Loan from San Diego Loyal. 6 August 2021.