James began playing youth soccer at age four with Dixie SC.[2] He later joined the Toronto FC Academy.[3] He was a member of the Ontario provincial team at both the U14 and U16 levels, winning a silver medal at both national tournaments.[4]
College career
In 2012, he committed to attend Bowling Green University to play for the men's soccer team.[5] On September 9, 2012, James recorded his first collegiate goal and his first assist in a 3–3 draw against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.[6] On October 30, 2012, he scored a brace in a 3–2 victory over the Wright State Raiders,[7] which earned him Bowling Green's Athlete of the Week honours.[8] In his sophomore season, he was named to the OCSA Academic All-Ohio Second Team and also earned honourable mention honours for the Academic All-MAC Team.[9][10]
In his junior season, he was named to the NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region Third Team,[11] the All-MAC Second-Team,[12] All-Ohio Second Team,[13] Academic All-MAC Team,[14] a MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete,[15] and a Academic All-Ohio First Team.[4]
Ahead of his senior season, he was named a team captain.[16] He was named a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award,[17] was named to the All-MAC Second Team,[18] Academic All-MAC Team,[19] MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete, and was the male recipient of Bowling Green's Medal of Honor.[20] Ahead of the MLS SuperDraft, he was invited to the MLS Combine.[21][22] Over his four seasons, he played in all 79 of the team's games, scoring nine goals and adding 15 assists.[23]
In December 2017, James signed with Nashville SC in the USL, for the 2018 season.[31][32]
In November 2018, James signed a one-year contract, with a club option for 2020 with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.[33] In April 2019, he was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for the first time.[34] He scored his first goal for the Riverhounds on August 1, 2020, against Philadelphia Union II.[35] After scoring a brace against the Hartford Athletic on August 28, 2020, James was named USL Championship Player of the Week (and named to the Team of the Week).[36][37] After another two-goal performance against the Hartford Athletic on September 12, he was once again named to the Team of the Week.[38][39] For the 2020 season, he was named the Steel Army (the Riverhounds' supporters group) Player of the Year.[40]
In December 2020, James signed a multi-year contract with Birmingham Legion FC.[41][42] He scored his first goal for the Legion on July 9, 2022, against the Charleston Battery.[43] In July 2022, he was named to the USL Team of the Week.[44]
In February 2023, he signed a one-year contract with a club option for 2024, with the HFX Wanderers in the Canadian Premier League.[45] He was named an assistant captain for the 2023 season.[46] He made his debut for the club on April 15, 2023, against Atlético Ottawa.[47] In July 2023, it was announced that he would miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery due to injury.[48][49] In December 2023, the Wanderers declined his option for 2024.[50]
International career
He made his debut in the Canadian national program attending a camp with the Canada U17 team in August 2010, later attending a second camp in November 2010.[2]
Personal life
James is the younger brother of Evan James, who is also a professional soccer player.[51][52] In September 2022, he was the inaugural recipient of the Coaching License Scholarship from Kwik Goal, the United Soccer League, and US Soccer, and will begin with B coaching license training with the United States Soccer Federation.[53][54]
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