Nick Lima is officially calling it a career. The San Jose Earthquakes announced that Lima has retired from professional soccer ahead of the 2026 MLS season, ending a run that started with him coming through the Quakes pipeline and finishing back in the same place.
In the club’s release, Lima said he’s thankful he got to “go out on my terms,” and made sure to shout out basically everybody who helped him get there—teammates, coaches, staff, fans, the community, and the clubs he played for—while giving a special nod to San Jose for being where he began and where he’ll now finish.
Lima, 31, leaves the league as a true MLS workhorse. The Earthquakes credited him with nine goals and 20 assists across eight MLS seasons, totaling 211 appearances (189 starts) with San Jose (2017–20, 2025), Austin FC (2021–23), and the New England Revolution (2024).
For Quakes fans, the story always hit different because he was one of their own. Lima signed as a Homegrown Player on Dec. 21, 2016, becoming the second Homegrown signing in club history, then went on to play 100 matches (94 starts) in his first stint with San Jose before being traded to Austin in 2020.
After three seasons in Austin and a year in New England, he came back to the Bay in 2025 and got that full-circle ending—finishing his career in Black and Blue again.
Even outside MLS, Lima had his moments on the bigger stage too. He earned nine USMNT caps, and the Quakes highlighted his Jan. 27, 2019 debut vs. Panama, where he started, had an assist in a 3-0 win, and was named Man of the Match.
Bruce Arena also gave him his flowers, calling Lima “an outstanding player and professional” and thanking him for his service to the club.
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