If you had to guess which American player has the highest goals plus assists total in Major League Soccer so far this year, who would you say? Perhaps Columbus Crew forward Gyasi Zardes, who is currently leading the line for the U.S. National Team, or maybe it’s the legendary Toronto FC talisman Jozy Altidore.
The correct answer is 17-year-old Quakes forward Cade Cowell. Cowell has tallied four goals and three assists to give him seven total points, most among all American-born players in MLS this season.
PLAYER |
TEAM |
GOALS + ASSISTS |
GOALS |
ASSISTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cade Cowell |
San Jose Earthquakes |
7 |
4 |
3 |
Caden Clark |
New York Red Bulls |
6 |
4 |
2 |
Djordje Mihailovic |
CF Montreal |
6 |
4 |
2 |
Chris Mueller |
Orlando City SC |
6 |
2 |
4 |
Rubio Rubin |
Real Salt Lake |
6 |
4 |
2 |
In 2021, his first season as a starter, Cowell came out of the gates with two goals and three assists in the first three matches. Cowell then hit a bit of a dry spell and didn’t get his name on the scoresheet in any of the next seven matches. The Ceres, Calif. native has found his footing again, scoring in each of the last two matches: one with his left foot and one with his right.
While Cowell is just beginning to scratch the surface of his career, his abilities have already drawn the attention of U.S. National Team head coach Gregg Berhalter. Despite his young age, Cowell was named to the United States’ preliminary roster for the Concacaf Gold Cup, although he was not selected to participate. He is also eligible to represent Mexico so his future at the international level will be one to watch.
Cowell, born in October 2003, is still three months shy of his 18th birthday.
