Cal Jennings Explained

Cal Jennings
Fullname:Caleb Jennings
Birth Date:17 May 1997
Birth Place:Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Height:1.8m (05.9feet)[1]
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Tampa Bay Rowdies
Clubnumber:26
Youthyears1:2015–2016
Youthclubs1:Georgia United
Collegeyears1:2016–2019
College1:UCF Knights
Collegecaps1:66
Collegegoals1:45
Years1:2020
Clubs1:Memphis 901
Caps1:14
Goals1:9
Years2:2021
Clubs2:Indy Eleven
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2021–2022
Clubs3:Los Angeles FC
Caps3:9
Goals3:0
Years4:2021–2022
Clubs4:Las Vegas Lights (loan)
Caps4:45
Goals4:22
Years5:2023–
Clubs5:Tampa Bay Rowdies
Caps5:47
Goals5:30
Club-Update:May 19, 2024

Cal Jennings (born May 17, 1997) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward who currently plays for Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USL Championship.

Early life and college

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Jennings attended Roswell High School where he played two seasons for the school's soccer team.[2] He also spent a season with U.S. Soccer Development Academy club Georgia United.[2]

After graduating high school, Jennings enrolled at the University of Central Florida and joined the UCF Knights college soccer team. He made his debut on August 26, 2016, against the Grand Canyon Antelopes.[3] He scored his first and only goal of his freshman season on October 8 against the Memphis Tigers in a 2–3 defeat.[3] During the 2017 season, Jennings scored 7 goals in 16 matches.[3] The next season, Jennings had a breakout season, scoring 20 goals and starting all 18 matches for the Knights.[4] He ended the season tied as the NCAA Division I top-scorer.[4]

During his final season with the Knights, Jennings scored 18 goals in 20 matches, earning several individual accolades.[4] He was named a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy for the 2019 season.[4]

Club career

Memphis 901

On January 9, 2020, Jennings was selected with the 17th overall pick by FC Dallas in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft.[5] However, in late February, he was released from the club's pre-season camp without earning a first-team contract.[6] A few months later, on July 13, Jennings joined USL Championship club Memphis 901.[7]

Jennings made his professional debut for Memphis 901 on July 15, coming on as a 62nd-minute substitute during a 3–0 defeat against Birmingham Legion.[8] He then scored his first goal for the club on July 18 against Atlanta United 2 during a 2–2 draw.[9]

Jennings ended his first season scoring a hat-trick on October 3 against Birmingham Legion. His three goals helped the club to a 3–1 victory.[10] This was part of a scoring run in which Jennings scored in four games in a row, netting eight goals.[11]

Los Angeles FC

On December 4, 2020, Jennings joined USL Championship club Indy Eleven for the 2021 season.[12] However, on March 9, 2021, it was announced that Jennings had signed with Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC without playing a game for Indy Eleven.[13] To make the signing, Los Angeles FC traded their natural third-round selection in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft for Jennings' college rights from FC Dallas.[13] Following the 2022 season, Jennings was released by LAFC.[14]

Tampa Bay Rowdies

On January 26, 2023, Jennings signed with USL Championship side Tampa Bay Rowdies.[15]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Memphis 9012020USL Championship149149
Los Angeles FC2021Major League Soccer600060
Career total2090000209

Honors

Los Angeles FC

2022

individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cal Jennings . 20 August 2022 . Los Angeles FC.
  2. News: Parker . Joe . Pro soccer team drafts Roswell graduate Cal Jennings . March 9, 2021 . Appen Media . January 21, 2020.
  3. Web site: Cal Jennings - UCF Knights 2017 . UCF Knights.
  4. Web site: Cal Jennings - 2019 . UCF Knights.
  5. News: Melcer . Garrett . Cal Jennings: Profiling the No. 17 Pick of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft . March 9, 2021 . FC Dallas . January 9, 2020.
  6. News: Carrick . Buzz . No first team FC Dallas contract for Cal Jennings . March 9, 2021 . 3rd Degree . February 25, 2020.
  7. News: MEMPHIS 901 FC SIGNS TWO PLAYERS FOR RETURN TO PLAY . March 9, 2021 . Memphis 901 FC . July 13, 2020 . September 18, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200918143632/https://www.memphis901fc.com/news_article/show/1113133 . dead .
  8. Web site: Birmingham Legion 3–0 Memphis 901 . Soccerway.
  9. Web site: Atlanta United 2 2–2 Memphis 901 . Soccerway.
  10. Web site: Memphis 901 3–1 Birmingham Legion . Soccerway.
  11. News: Varlas . John . Jennings bags a hat trick as 901 FC closes disappointing year with gratifying victory . March 9, 2021 . Daily Memphian . October 3, 2020.
  12. News: FORWARD CAL JENNINGS FIRST NEW SIGNING FOR 2021 SEASON . March 9, 2021 . Indy Eleven . December 4, 2020.
  13. News: LAFC Acquires 23-Year-Old Forward Cal Jennings . March 9, 2021 . Los Angeles FC . March 9, 2021.
  14. Web site: LAFC Announces Roster Moves For 2023 Season | Los Angeles Football Club. LAFC.
  15. Web site: Cal Jennings' arrival completes Tampa Bay's front line revamp. NICHOLAS MURRAY-. nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com. January 26, 2023. USL Championship.