From Academy to Pros: The Ascent of the Spivey Brothers

Many young athletes dream of going pro, but for most, it remains a distant goal without a clear path forward. For the Spivey family, that dream became a shared pursuit and one they could work toward together.

Growing up in San Jose, the path to a professional career felt more tangible. The San Jose Earthquakes youth academy, established in 2010 and now part of the MLS NEXT framework, provides local players with a structured route to the highest level. As the only MLS academy in Northern California, it offered a unique opportunity that Jermaine, Kaedren, and Shemar were eager to pursue.

Long before contracts or serious discussions about the next level, the Spivey brothers were natural competitors, constantly pushing each other to improve. They experimented with different sports growing up—basketball and football (the latter played by their father, Jermaine Sr.)—but soccer quickly stood out. Even as their family moved multiple times between San Jose and nearby San Francisco, the game remained a constant.

When the opportunity with the Quakes arose, one brother followed another. Today, all three wear Black and Blue.

The journey began with Jermaine, now 20. He joined the academy at just eight years old, still learning the game and finding his footing as he developed.

“I was a good athlete,” he said, “but [Coach] Ben Maxwell helped develop me into a top soccer player. He mentored me technically and taught me a lot about the game, especially since I came to it relatively late.”

Maxwell, who runs Player One Performance, helped shape those raw tools into a more complete skill set. That growth has translated into more than 700 professional minutes with the Quakes’ MLS NEXT Pro side.

In January 2025, Jermaine and his younger brother, Kaedren, signed their first professional contracts. It wasn’t just a milestone for them—it was a moment shared by the entire family. The early mornings, long drives, and sacrifices along the way all seemed to culminate in that moment, ink on paper.

“Playing alongside my brother feels amazing,” the eldest said. “It’s a dream come true. We’ve been playing together since we were little, so to see it all come together like this is special.”

For them, competition has always been intertwined with connection.

Jermaine points to consistency as the defining factor in his journey—staying committed through moves, adjustments, and the steep learning curve that came with being the first in his family to pursue soccer seriously.

“We grew up Quakes fans, so to represent them at the highest level means everything to us.”

Kaedren, the middle brother, has followed a similar path while carving out one of his own.

At just 16, he became one of the youngest players in MLS history to sign a first-team contract. He began playing soccer at four and joined the academy at nine, inspired by watching Jermaine lead the way.

“Ever since I can remember, my brothers and I have competed over almost everything,” Kaedren said. “Even the little things, like playing FIFA or having three-point contests in the backyard.”

That competitive edge carries into his game. In 2024, he was named the U-15 MLS NEXT 2023–24 MVP. The following year, he earned MLS NEXT All-Star honors and a spot on the Generation adidas Cup Rising XI. By 2026, he had already started matches for Earthquakes II and recorded an assist in the season opener.

Despite his rapid rise, his connection to home remains central.

“This club has given me and my family so much, and for that I’ll always be grateful,” he said. “My parents have always been proud and supportive… but having all of us in Black and Blue is especially meaningful for them.”

He credits coach Dan Neal, now the Boys Youth Director for Bay Area Surf, with emphasizing fundamentals early on and helping build the technical foundation he still relies on today.

Shemar, the youngest, is just beginning his own journey. While his older brothers are stepping into the professional game, he’s growing up within the blueprint they helped create.

Now in his second season with the academy’s U-14 squad, Shemar is part of a group competing at the top of its division. His experience is already taking a different shape from his brothers’, with opportunities to travel internationally to Mexico, England, and Portugal to face top clubs.

“It feels cool to play for the same academy that my brothers have been part of for all these years,” Shemar said.

Even as his brothers have moved into the professional ranks, their relationship hasn’t changed.

“They’ve always been there to teach me, support me, and encourage me,” he said. “Nothing has changed since they became professionals.”

For their family, seeing two of the three brothers cement their place in Quakes history marked a moment that reflected years of hard work and dedication.

Their parents, the brothers say, have been the driving force behind it all. From managing travel and schedules to supporting the day-to-day commitment required to pursue the game, Kelly and Jermaine Sr. have been there every step of the way.

“They’ve had the biggest impact on us,” Jermaine said.

Now, the three brothers are still doing what they’ve always done: training, competing, and pushing each other forward—just at a higher level.

Three brothers, one club, a rising ceiling, and a journey that was never meant to be taken alone.