Jayden Reid Bio
Jayden Reid is an American professional soccer player who plays as a left-back. Having started his career in youth soccer, he made significant strides through the ranks, including noteworthy stints at the New York Red Bulls Academy and playing collegiate soccer at the University of Connecticut. Reid made his professional debut with the New York Red Bulls II before signing a homegrown player contract with the New York Red Bulls. He has since transitioned across Major League Soccer.
Born on August 30, 2001, in Elmont, New York, Reid stands at 6 feet 0 inches tall and has built a reputation as a quick, attack-minded defender. After time with St. Louis City SC, he signed with Sporting Kansas City in early 2026 to continue his MLS career.
Early Life and Background
Jayden Reid was raised in Elmont, New York, a community on Long Island with a strong tradition of competitive youth soccer. He began playing organized soccer at age eight, joining Jigs Soccer Academy for his earliest years in the sport. Those formative seasons helped him develop the technical foundation and tactical understanding that would later support his progression into elite development environments.
In 2013, Reid entered the New York Red Bulls Academy, one of the most respected youth systems in Major League Soccer. He spent time developing within that structure before a brief period with Blau Weiss Gottschee, a New York-based club known for producing college-level talent. By 2017, he had returned to the Red Bulls Academy, where he continued to refine his game as a left-footed defender through his late teens.
Path to Soccer
Reid’s pathway to professional soccer ran through a combination of elite academy play and a successful college career. After completing his time in the New York Red Bulls Academy, he committed to the University of Connecticut in 2019, joining the UConn Huskies men’s soccer program. The move allowed him to develop physically and tactically while competing at the NCAA Division I level.
At Connecticut, Reid became a reliable contributor. On September 14, 2021, he scored his first collegiate goal and added two assists in a 4–0 win over the Yale Bulldogs, signaling his growing influence on the field. As a senior in 2022, he was named team captain, and at the end of that season he was recognized with a place on the All-Big East Third Team. Those achievements set the stage for his transition into the professional ranks.
Jayden Reid Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Reid began his senior career during the summer of 2021 with the New York Red Bulls U-23 team in USL League Two, a developmental circuit used by MLS clubs to bridge academy players to the professional level. The experience gave him his first taste of regular senior minutes while he continued to feature for the UConn Huskies.
In 2022, he joined the Long Island Rough Riders, another USL League Two side, where he continued to sharpen his game against experienced amateurs and young professionals. That same year, his strong college and amateur form led Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls to sign him to a homegrown player contract in December 2022, formally beginning his MLS career path.
New York Red Bulls Era (2023)
Reid’s first professional season came in 2023, when he was primarily assigned to New York Red Bulls II in MLS Next Pro. He made his professional debut on March 25, 2023, against Columbus Crew 2, marking the official start of his senior career. He also earned a call-up to the senior squad, making his MLS debut on May 17, 2023, against Toronto FC.
Despite the milestones, opportunities at the senior level remained limited, and at the conclusion of the 2023 campaign the New York Red Bulls declined his contract option for 2024. The decision opened the door for a new chapter in his career.
St. Louis City SC Era (2024–2025)
In February 2024, Reid signed with St. Louis City 2 in MLS Next Pro, the reserve side of St. Louis City SC, with an option for the following year. Early in the summer, his performances earned him a series of short-term loan agreements to the St. Louis City SC first team in June and July 2024, providing a chance to prove himself in MLS.
He made his St. Louis City SC debut on June 22, 2024, against Atlanta United FC, playing the full 90 minutes and recording an assist in a strong all-around performance. Later in July 2024, Reid signed a full first-team contract with St. Louis City SC for the remainder of the season, with club options for 2025 and 2026. On November 25, 2025, however, his contract option was declined, ending his time in St. Louis.
Sporting Kansas City Era (2026–Present)
On February 3, 2026, Reid signed a one-season contract with Sporting Kansas City, with a team option for two additional years. The move offered him a fresh opportunity to establish himself as a regular contributor at the MLS level after a year of first-team experience in St. Louis.
Reid joined Sporting Kansas City wearing jersey number 99, stepping into a club in the midst of a transitional period. His pace and crossing ability positioned him as a candidate to compete for minutes on the left side of the defense and in wide midfield roles.
Driving Style and Strengths
Reid is primarily deployed as a left-back but is also capable of playing as a wing-back or wide midfielder. He is known for his exceptional acceleration and pace, frequently beating defenders on overlapping runs down the left flank. Reid often attempts tricks and skill moves in the attacking third, with varying degrees of success, and his style is geared toward creating chances through direct, high-energy play.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Reid’s career highlights are his professional debut for New York Red Bulls II in March 2023, his MLS debut for the New York Red Bulls in May 2023, and his standout first-team debut for St. Louis City SC on June 22, 2024, when he delivered a full 90-minute performance with an assist against Atlanta United FC. Each step marked a significant milestone in his progression from academy player to MLS contributor.
Jayden Reid Career Wins
Jayden Reid’s career is still in its developmental phase, and verified individual trophy totals are not available from the source material. His most meaningful wins to date have come at the team and conference level, including a senior season at UConn in which he served as team captain and earned All-Big East Third Team honors in 2022.
Other Wins and Performances
Across his time with the New York Red Bulls U-23, the Long Island Rough Riders, New York Red Bulls II, St. Louis City 2, and St. Louis City SC, Reid has been a consistent contributor at the developmental and MLS levels. While detailed win tallies by club are not confirmed in the available sources, his progression through multiple professional environments reflects sustained performance and trust from coaching staffs.
Jayden Reid Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Jayden Reid’s immediate family is limited, and detailed records about his parents and siblings are not available in the verified sources.
Personal Life
Reid was born and raised in Elmont, New York. He has pursued his professional soccer career across multiple states, moving from the New York metropolitan area to Missouri and then to Kansas, while continuing to develop as a young MLS left-back.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a pivotal year for Jayden Reid, as he began the campaign on the St. Louis City 2 roster in MLS Next Pro following the option structure of his St. Louis City SC contract. His prior first-team experience from 2024, including a debut assist against Atlanta United FC, positioned him as a player capable of stepping up when called upon.
Reid continued to feature within the St. Louis City SC organization during 2025, with opportunities at the senior level supplementing his reserve-team minutes. On November 25, 2025, however, the club declined his contract option, signaling the end of his time in St. Louis and setting the stage for his next move.
That next move came quickly: on February 3, 2026, Reid signed a one-season contract with Sporting Kansas City, giving him a fresh platform to compete for regular minutes. The early outlook pointed to a season in which his pace and overlapping runs could play a key role in Kansas City’s wide play.
