JT Marcinkowski Bio
James Thomas “JT” Marcinkowski (born May 9, 1997) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy. Standing 6 ft 1 in tall, Marcinkowski is recognized for his shot-stopping ability and his development through both the collegiate and professional ranks in the United States. He has represented the United States at multiple youth national team levels and currently wears the number 12 shirt for LA Galaxy.
After spending the bulk of his early professional career with the San Jose Earthquakes organization, Marcinkowski joined LA Galaxy in January 2025 as a free agent. His career path includes a college tenure at Georgetown University and loans within the United Soccer League system, providing him with a wide range of competitive experience before establishing himself in MLS.
Early Life and Background
James Thomas Marcinkowski was born on May 9, 1997, in Alamo, California, United States. He is of Polish descent and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, a region known for producing a steady stream of professional soccer talent. His early environment in Northern California gave him access to competitive youth soccer and a clear pathway toward the professional game.
From 2011 to 2015, Marcinkowski developed within the San Jose Earthquakes Academy, one of Major League Soccer’s longstanding youth development programs. During that four-year academy stint, he sharpened the technical and tactical skills required of a modern goalkeeper and earned recognition as one of the top young keepers in the organization. He also represented the United States at the U14 through U18 levels, accumulating 24 caps across those age groups.
Path to Soccer
Following his time in the San Jose Earthquakes Academy, Marcinkowski enrolled at Georgetown University, where he played for the Georgetown Hoyas men’s soccer program from 2015 to 2017. Across three collegiate seasons, he made 56 appearances and posted an impressive 0.84 goals against average, establishing himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the Big East Conference. In his final year, he captained the Hoyas to a 2017 Big East Conference Men’s Soccer Tournament championship, his second such title with the program.
During his college years, Marcinkowski also gained senior-level experience by appearing in two matches for the Burlingame Dragons of the USL Premier Development League in 2016. That offseason exposure allowed him to test his skills against professional-level opposition while still completing his education. His combination of collegiate success and brief professional minutes positioned him for an MLS Homegrown contract.
JT Marcinkowski Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
Marcinkowski’s senior career began with the Burlingame Dragons in 2016, where he featured in two USL PDL matches while continuing his college career at Georgetown. Those games offered an early glimpse of his shot-stopping instincts and composure under pressure. His performances at Georgetown and with the U.S. youth national teams built his profile entering the 2017 MLS draft cycle.
On December 6, 2017, the San Jose Earthquakes signed Marcinkowski to an MLS Homegrown Player contract, making him the club’s third-ever Homegrown signing after Tommy Thompson and Nick Lima. The deal completed his transition from promising prospect to professional goalkeeper, with the Earthquakes organization committing to his long-term development.
San Jose Earthquakes Era (2018–2024)
After signing with San Jose, Marcinkowski was loaned to the club’s USL affiliate Reno 1868 FC, where he made his debut on March 17, 2018, in a 3–4 loss to Swope Park Rangers. The loan gave him consistent professional minutes and helped bridge the gap between the academy and MLS regular-season action. He split time between Reno and San Jose across multiple seasons, refining his game against varied levels of competition.
Over his time with the San Jose Earthquakes organization from 2018 through 2024, Marcinkowski grew into a reliable MLS goalkeeper. His development included valuable experience training alongside established professionals and competing for starting opportunities within the first team. The Earthquakes organization invested in his growth as a Homegrown talent, and he rewarded that faith with steadily improving performances.
LA Galaxy Era (2025–Present)
On January 16, 2025, Marcinkowski signed a two-year deal with LA Galaxy as a free agent, marking a new chapter in his professional career. The contract runs through the 2027 season and reflects Galaxy’s confidence in his abilities as an experienced MLS goalkeeper. He wears the number 12 shirt for the club.
In 2025, Marcinkowski was also loaned to Ventura County FC, Galaxy’s developmental affiliate, providing him with regular playing opportunities in the MLS NEXT Pro setup. The arrangement allows him to maintain match sharpness while integrating into Galaxy’s broader goalkeeping corps. His arrival in Los Angeles adds experienced depth to one of MLS’s most decorated franchises.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Marcinkowski’s defining early achievements was his inclusion on the United States U20 squad for the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, which the United States won, and the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He was also named to the final 20-player U.S. under-23 roster for the 2020 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship in March 2021, underscoring his continued standing within the American goalkeeping pipeline.
JT Marcinkowski Career Wins
JT Marcinkowski has built his professional resume around consistent performances rather than a heavy tally of major titles, with his most prominent team honor coming at the youth international level. As a goalkeeper, his statistical contributions are reflected in clean sheets, save totals, and goals-against averages across his club career rather than victory counts in the traditional sense.
International Highlights
Marcinkowski represented the United States at the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, where the U.S. squad claimed the title. He also featured at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the same year. Across his youth international career, he earned caps at the U14, U16, U18, U20, and U23 levels, reflecting a long and productive run with the U.S. national team setup.
JT Marcinkowski Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Marcinkowski is of Polish descent, a heritage reflected in his surname. He was raised in Alamo, California, and developed his goalkeeping skills in the San Francisco Bay Area before progressing through the San Jose Earthquakes Academy and on to the professional ranks.
2025 Season Performance
JT Marcinkowski joined LA Galaxy ahead of the 2025 Major League Soccer season after signing a two-year contract in January of that year. The move positioned him as an experienced addition to a Galaxy squad aiming to compete at the top of the Western Conference. His transition into the team’s goalkeeping rotation has been supported by his loan assignment to Ventura County FC, where he can build match rhythm in MLS NEXT Pro.
Across 2025, Marcinkowski continues his professional career at age 28, bringing years of MLS and USL experience to the Galaxy organization. His familiarity with the league’s demands and his track record at the youth international level provide Galaxy with a dependable option between the posts.
Looking ahead, Marcinkowski’s contract runs through the 2027 season, giving both player and club time to develop a long-term partnership. His progress with Galaxy, paired with developmental minutes at Ventura County FC, will shape his role in the club’s competitive plans over the next several Major League Soccer campaigns.
