Preston Judd Bio
Preston Judd (born May 28, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches, Judd is recognized for his physical presence in the attacking third and his consistent goal-scoring record from college soccer through the professional ranks. He currently wears jersey number 19 for the San Jose Earthquakes.
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Judd rose through the youth soccer scene in his home state before taking his game to the collegiate level. After two productive college stops, he entered Major League Soccer through the 2021 MLS SuperDraft and has since built his career with multiple clubs across the United States soccer pyramid.
Early Life and Background
Preston Judd was born on May 28, 1999, in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Growing up in Las Vegas, he developed his soccer skills in a region that has produced a growing number of professional players in recent years. His early exposure to organized soccer came through local youth programs in the Las Vegas area.
Judd attended the Las Vegas Soccer Academy, where he refined his abilities as a forward and built the foundation for his future in the sport. His time at the academy helped him secure an opportunity to play college soccer at the next level, marking the beginning of his competitive journey outside of youth play.
Path to Professional Soccer
Judd began his college career in 2017 at California Baptist University, where he played for the California Baptist Lancers through the 2018 season. Across two years with the program, he made 39 appearances, scoring 22 goals and adding 4 assists. In his freshman year, he earned Academic All-PacWest honors, and during his sophomore season he was named first-team All-WAC, second-team All-Far West Region, and selected to the WAC All-Academic team in 2018.
In 2019, Judd transferred to the University of Denver, where he played a single season for the Denver Pioneers. He scored 7 goals and tallied 1 assist during that campaign and was recognized as a 2019 Summit League All-Newcomer Team selection. He was also named the 2019 Summit League Tournament MVP, a significant individual honor that highlighted his impact in his lone season with the program.
Preston Judd Career
Early Career (2021)
Preston Judd began his professional career in January 2021, signing with USL Championship side Sporting Kansas City II. The opportunity came after he attended Kansas City’s 2020 College Invitational Combine, an event designed for players who had missed the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Just over a week later, on January 21, 2021, he was selected 35th overall in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft by LA Galaxy.
On April 7, 2021, it was announced that Judd had signed with LA Galaxy II, the reserve side of the LA Galaxy organization. Sporting Kansas City confirmed on April 16, 2021, that they had agreed to terminate his contract to allow him to sign with the club that had drafted him. Judd made his professional debut on April 30, 2021, starting in a 1–0 loss to Sacramento Republic.
LA Galaxy II Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Judd scored his first professional goal on May 5, 2021, netting a 90th-minute goal to complete a 5–0 win over Las Vegas Lights. Less than six weeks later, on June 16, 2021, Judd netted his first career hat-trick, scoring all three LA Galaxy II goals in a 4–3 loss to Las Vegas Lights. That performance demonstrated his finishing ability and his capacity to single-handedly influence matches at the USL Championship level.
Across his time with LA Galaxy II from 2021 to 2023, Judd established himself as a reliable scoring threat in the reserve side. His consistent production eventually earned him a first-team opportunity, and on April 4, 2022, Judd was moved up to the LA Galaxy senior roster.
LA Galaxy Era (2022–2023)
Promoted to the LA Galaxy first team in April 2022, Judd spent parts of 2022 and 2023 with the Major League Soccer club. The move represented a significant step in his career, transitioning from the reserve side into one of the league’s most recognized organizations. His work with the senior side helped him continue his development as a professional forward.
San Jose Earthquakes Era (2024–Present)
On December 14, 2023, Preston Judd joined San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for $200,000 of future General Allocation Money. The trade marked the beginning of a new chapter for the forward, who joined the Earthquakes ahead of the 2024 Major League Soccer season.
At San Jose, Judd has continued his role as a forward, bringing his size and scoring instincts to the Bay Area club. The move provided him with an opportunity to take on a larger role at the MLS level, and he wears jersey number 19 for the Earthquakes as he looks to establish himself as a consistent contributor.
Driving Style and Strengths
Judd is recognized for his physical attributes as a 6-foot-3 forward, giving him an imposing presence in the penalty area and during aerial duels. His college record of 22 goals in 39 appearances at California Baptist, followed by 7 goals in a single season at Denver, demonstrates a consistent finishing instinct. His ability to score in a variety of ways, including a documented hat-trick performance, suggests a forward comfortable operating as a central scoring option.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most notable professional moments, Judd’s first professional goal against Las Vegas Lights on May 5, 2021, and his first career hat-trick on June 16, 2021, stand out as early career milestones. His selection in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft by LA Galaxy and his subsequent trade to San Jose Earthquakes for General Allocation Money in December 2023 represent key transition points in his career trajectory.
Preston Judd Career Wins
Preston Judd has compiled a record of goal-scoring achievements across the college and professional levels, including conference-level recognition and a documented hat-trick at the USL Championship level. While comprehensive senior team scoring totals across all clubs are not fully verifiable, his verified achievements include conference awards at California Baptist University and the University of Denver.
USL Championship Highlights
During his time with LA Galaxy II, Judd recorded his first professional goal and his first career hat-trick, both against Las Vegas Lights in 2021. Those performances highlighted his scoring capability at the second-division professional level and helped earn him a promotion to the LA Galaxy senior roster in April 2022.
Other Performances
At the college level, Judd scored 22 goals in 39 appearances for the California Baptist Lancers across two seasons, earning All-WAC and All-Far West Region recognition. In his lone season at the University of Denver, he added 7 goals and 1 assist and was named the 2019 Summit League Tournament MVP.
Preston Judd Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Preston Judd was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he developed his early soccer skills through local programs and the Las Vegas Soccer Academy. Specific public details about his parents and immediate family are not widely documented.
Personal Life
Judd continues his professional soccer career in the United States following his move to the San Jose Earthquakes in December 2023. Public details about his marital status, spouse, or children are not documented in available verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
Preston Judd enters the 2025 Major League Soccer campaign with the San Jose Earthquakes, where he wears jersey number 19. After joining the club in December 2023 via trade from the LA Galaxy organization, Judd has had time to settle into the team’s attacking setup and build familiarity with his teammates and coaching staff.
As a 6-foot-3 forward, Judd brings a physical dimension to the San Jose attack that complements the club’s broader offensive approach. His prior scoring record at both the collegiate and USL Championship levels, including a verified professional hat-trick, suggests continued potential as a contributor in the attacking third.
Looking ahead across the 2025 season, Judd’s role with the Earthquakes will likely center on providing goal-scoring presence and depth at the forward position. His continued development within the club’s system will be a storyline to watch as San Jose pursues its competitive objectives in Major League Soccer.
