Earl Edwards Bio
Earl William Edwards Jr. is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes. Standing at 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m), he began his professional career in 2015 after being drafted by Orlando City and has since played for several clubs across MLS and its developmental leagues. Edwards is widely recognized for his consistency between the posts, his penalty-area command, and his steady form during a college career at UCLA that established him as one of the conference’s top keepers.
Early Life and Background
Earl William Edwards Jr. was born on January 24, 1992, in San Diego, California, in the United States. Growing up in Southern California, he trained with the renowned IMG Academy between 2007 and 2009, a period that helped shape his early development as a goalkeeper. In 2009, he linked up with Nomads SC, where he continued his youth pathway through the end of 2010. His time at IMG and Nomads provided a foundation in shot-stopping technique, distribution, and the tactical discipline required at higher levels of the sport.
Alongside his club commitments, Edwards represented the United States at the international youth level, earning selection to the United States U-17 squad for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Nigeria. That tournament experience, combining high-level competition with international travel, exposed him to diverse playing styles and elevated his standing within the U.S. Soccer development pipeline.
Path to Soccer
Edwards committed to UCLA, where he played his entire college career from 2010 to 2014, including a red-shirted 2010 season. Over five years in Westwood, he made 61 appearances for the UCLA Bruins and recorded 19 shutouts along with a 1.07 goals-against average, establishing himself as one of the most reliable keepers in the Pac-12 Conference. His performances earned him first-team All-Pac-12 honors in both 2013 and 2014, a back-to-back recognition that highlighted his consistency and his value to the Bruins’ defensive shape.
During his college years, Edwards also gained valuable senior-level experience in the Premier Development League. He played for Ventura County Fusion from 2012 through 2014 and had a brief stint with Seattle Sounders FC U-23 in 2013. These developmental appearances sharpened his match readiness and helped bridge the gap between the college game and full-time professional soccer, ultimately setting the stage for his entry into the MLS SuperDraft.
Earl Edwards Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
On January 20, 2015, Edwards was selected in the third round (43rd overall) of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft by Orlando City, and he signed a professional contract with the club a month later. He made his professional debut on June 17 in a 2015 U.S. Open Cup match against Charleston Battery, a contest Orlando advanced by winning a penalty shootout. In March 2016, he was loaned to Orlando City B, where he became the first-choice keeper during the 2017 USL season.
Edwards made his first MLS start on October 23, 2017, away at Philadelphia Union on the final day of the regular season when starter Joe Bendik was ruled out with a concussion, with Orlando falling 6–1. On July 14, 2018, following James O’Connor’s appointment as head coach, he was given the start over a healthy Bendik during a nine-game losing streak; Orlando won 2–1, with Edwards making three saves. He retained the starting job for five matches, conceding 13 goals, before being released at the end of the 2018 season when his contract expired.
D.C. United Era (2018–2020)
On December 19, 2018, Edwards was acquired by D.C. United in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, marking his first major move as a free agent. He was re-signed by D.C. United on January 8, 2020, for the 2020 season, signaling the club’s continued faith in his potential. Across his time in the nation’s capital, Edwards split minutes between the senior squad and the developmental side.
During his D.C. United tenure, he was loaned to Loudoun United, the club’s USL Championship affiliate. He made his Loudoun United debut on March 31, 2019, against the Tampa Bay Rowdies and kept a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw. He was released by D.C. United on November 30, 2020, ending his time in the District after two seasons of mixed first-team opportunities.
New England Revolution Era (2021–2024)
On December 19, 2020, Edwards joined New England Revolution ahead of their 2021 MLS campaign, providing veteran depth in goal. He also represented New England Revolution II during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, contributing to the club’s developmental pathway. Across four seasons with the Revolution organization, he provided reliable backup and competition for the starting role.
His tenure in New England was marked by steady professionalism and an ability to step in when called upon, helping the Revolution remain competitive in MLS play. Edwards’ time in New England built on his earlier developmental years and helped him refine his preparation habits and match management as a veteran MLS keeper.
San Jose Earthquakes Era (2024–Present)
On December 30, 2024, Edwards was acquired by the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for $150,000 in General Allocation Money, signaling a new chapter in his career on the West Coast. The move paired his MLS experience with the goalkeeping corps in San Jose, where he is expected to compete for minutes behind a competitive starting group. He wears the number 36 jersey for the club, marking a fresh start in California, the state of his birth.
Driving Style and Strengths
Edwards is recognized for his tall, commanding frame in the penalty area, a 1.91 m stature that allows him to dominate aerial duels and command his six-yard box on crosses and set pieces. His college record of 19 shutouts and a 1.07 goals-against average underscored a consistent shot-stopping baseline and a steady temperament under pressure. Across multiple clubs, he has shown reliability in distribution and a willingness to mentor younger keepers through developmental affiliates such as Orlando City B, New England Revolution II, and Loudoun United.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Edwards’ career highlights are his selection in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft by Orlando City and his professional debut in the 2015 U.S. Open Cup. Representing the United States U-17s at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria stands as one of the defining early milestones of his career. He also earned consecutive first-team All-Pac-12 selections in 2013 and 2014, recognition that reflected his development into a top collegiate goalkeeper.
Earl Edwards Career Wins
Earl Edwards’ professional record reflects a journeyman MLS goalkeeper who has contributed across regular-season and cup competitions, alongside developmental league minutes with multiple affiliate sides. While exact career win totals are not comprehensively listed in available records, his path includes a U.S. Open Cup debut victory via penalty shootout, a clean sheet on his Loudoun United debut, and an Orlando City win in his first start under new management in 2018.
MLS Highlights
Across MLS competition, Edwards has appeared for Orlando City, D.C. United, New England Revolution, and San Jose Earthquakes, contributing to competitive rosters at each stop. He made his first MLS start on October 23, 2017, and later produced a standout performance on July 14, 2018, when he helped Orlando City win 2–1 against a Philadelphia Union side during a difficult stretch for the club. His continued presence in MLS rosters through 2025 underscores his reputation as a reliable veteran goalkeeper.
Other Wins & Performances
Edwards also delivered performances in the U.S. Open Cup, including his 2015 debut against Charleston Battery which Orlando advanced on penalties. With Loudoun United in 2019, he posted a clean sheet in his debut, and during his college tenure at UCLA, he earned 19 shutouts across 61 appearances, alongside first-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2013 and 2014.
Earl Edwards Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Earl William Edwards Jr. carries the suffix ‘Jr.’ in his name, indicating that he shares his name with his father, though no further public details about his parents are widely documented.
Personal Life
Edwards grew up in San Diego, California, and has maintained ties to the West Coast throughout his soccer career. Public details about his marital status, spouse, or children are not widely documented in available records.
2025 Season Performance
Edwards enters the 2025 Major League Soccer season with the San Jose Earthquakes after being acquired on December 30, 2024. Wearing the number 36 jersey, he is expected to compete for minutes within a goalkeeping group that is being reshaped under the club’s offseason moves. The trade that brought him to San Jose included $150,000 in General Allocation Money, a move that signaled the club’s intent to add experienced depth to the position.
Coming off four seasons with the New England Revolution organization, Edwards brings familiarity with high-level MLS competition and a veteran’s perspective to a San Jose side seeking consistency in goal. His previous work with multiple USL affiliates, including Orlando City B, Loudoun United, and New England Revolution II, provides him with a broad understanding of developmental pipelines that the Earthquakes’ setup can draw upon.
As the 2025 season progresses, Edwards’ role will likely be shaped by performance in training and cup competitions, with opportunities to push for first-team minutes. His track record of stepping in during key matches, from his 2018 Orlando City start to his clean sheet on debut for Loudoun United, suggests he remains prepared whenever called upon by the San Jose technical staff.
