San Jose just went Ivy League shopping — and came out with a defender who doesn’t play like a “stay-at-home” back.
The Earthquakes selected Princeton defender Jack Jasinski in the second round of the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, taking him 41st overall on Thursday.
What makes the pick even more interesting is how the Quakes set it up. Earlier in the day, San Jose moved their natural first-round selection, sending the No. 11 pick to Houston in exchange for $150,000 in General Allocation Money, split as $75,000 in 2026 and $75,000 in 2027. Then, with their second-round slot, they landed a player they believe fills a real need.
“We feel good about the SuperDraft,” Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena said, adding that the team was able to “fill a void in our backline,” and that Jasinski gives San Jose “depth in our outside back position” while fitting what they want to be as a team.
If you’re not familiar with Jasinski yet, here’s the quick CultureWave breakdown: he’s a 6’2 right back from Charlotte with real engine, real delivery, and the type of résumé that screams “ready to compete in pro camp.” He was a four-year starter at Princeton, and the production is wild for a defender — 22 assists in his college career (third-most in program history), plus a reputation for being involved in the attack without cheating the defensive work.
This past season is where it really took off. In 2025, Jasinski started every match and helped Princeton stack trophies, earning First Team All-Ivy honors while also being named a United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-American.
And the “why him” answer is pretty simple: he checks modern outside-back boxes. Princeton leaned on him for progression and chances, and the numbers back it up — including a 2024 season where he led the Ivy League with nine assists, showing he can be a creator from deep and from wide areas.
There’s also a Philly connection that jumps out. Jasinski is a product of the Philadelphia Union Academy, previously played with Union II, and even got a first-team preseason look back in 2022, which tells you his pathway has been pro-facing for a minute.
Now it’s about what happens next: earning a deal, earning minutes, and proving this wasn’t just a “nice story” pick. But for San Jose, using that 41st selection on a big, composed, attack-minded defender feels like a very intentional move — a depth add with upside, and a player profile that fits the league in 2026.
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