Sporting Club Jacksonville (Sporting JAX) has added two international forwards to their roster ahead of their inaugural season in the USL Championship League pending league and federation approval. The signings include Canadian Adonijah Reid, 26, and English-born Emil Jääskeläinen, 24.
These additions come as the Sporting JAX USL Championship team ramps up to kick off the season March 7 against Hartford Athletic at the University of North Florida’s Hodges Stadium. A preseason game will be held on Feb. 21 against Charleston Battery at Hodges.
“Both Emil and Adonijah have an incredible amount of talent and grit,” said Liam Fox, head coach of the Sporting JAX men’s team. “They have a natural goal scoring ability that has been seen throughout their careers so far, and I think we will be able to help shape and mold that talent even further.”
“It’s a huge opportunity for everyone being signed,” Reid said. “You don’t often get the chance to build something from the ground up and set the tone and culture for a team. I’m excited to show the league what we can do in our first season.”
In 2017, Reid was selected as one of Major League Soccer’s Generation Adidas Canada stars ahead of the Super Draft and went on to acquire national experience with Canada’s U-16, U-18, and U-20 squads.
“To be able to play at this high of a level in a city that has some incredible sports fans is a dream,” said Jääskeläinen. “In this first season, I hope we can build off what the women’s team has already done and bring more love for the sport.”
Jääskeläinen was drafted seventh overall in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft by St. Louis City SC, where he has played for their MLS Next Pro Team, and joined the first team on loan on April 5.
Meanwhile, Sporting JAX announced Tuesday the addition of four midfielders to its USL Championship roster, signing Jacob Evans, Ezekiel Soto, Piero Elias and Wan Kuzain, pending league and federation approval.
“Jacob, Ezekiel, Piero and Wan each bring something different to our midfield group,” said Fox. “Collectively, they give us intelligence on the ball, range in possession and an ability to control matches. This group forms an important part of the foundation we’re building as we move toward our first season.”
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