Jon-Talen Maples (born November 20, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for New Mexico United in USL Championship.

Talen Maples
Personal information
Full name Jon-Talen Maples
Date of birth (1998-11-20) November 20, 1998 (age 26)
Place of birth Leander, Texas, United States
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
New Mexico United
Number 12
Youth career
Georgetown Force
Lonestar SC
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2019 SMU Mustangs 49 (4)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2019 Brazos Valley Cavalry 19 (0)
2021 Toronto FC II 19 (1)
2022–2023 Houston Dynamo 2 49 (7)
2024– New Mexico United 35 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of December 2nd, 2024

College

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In 2017, he attended Southern Methodist University, playing for the Mustangs soccer team.[1] He scored his first goal on September 15 against Loyola.[1] In his freshman season, he was named to the American Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team.[1] In 2018, he was named an AAC First Team All-Conference and Third Team All Region, and to the AAC All-Academic Team in 2018 and 2019.[2] He missed most of the 2019 season due to a torn ACL and meniscus injury as well as the 2020 season, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3]

Club career

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In 2018, he played for Premier Development League club Brazos Valley Cavalry.[4]

He was drafted 72nd overall by Toronto FC in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft.[5] He signed with their second team, Toronto FC II of USL League One, on May 5, 2021.[6] He made his debut for Toronto FC II on May 22, 2021, against North Texas SC.[7] He scored his first goal on October 1 against North Carolina FC.[8] He attended the first team's 2022 training camp.[9]

In February 2022, he signed with MLS Next Pro club Houston Dynamo 2.[10] Serving as team captain, he helped Dynamo 2 to record ten clean sheets and finish the season tied for the fewest goals conceded in the league and was named to the MLS Next Pro Best XI at the end of the season.[11]

In February 2024, Maples signed with New Mexico United in the USL Championship.[12] Following the 2024 season, Maples was named New Mexico United team MVP and Newcomer of the Year.[13]

Career statistics

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As of December 2nd, 2024[14]
Club Season League Playoffs Domestic cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Brazos Valley Cavalry 2018[15] Premier Development League 10 0 0 0 10 0
2019[16] USL League Two 9 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
Total 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 0
Toronto FC II 2021 USL League One 19 1 19 1
Houston Dynamo 2 2022 MLS Next Pro 22 3 0 0 22 3
2023 27 4 0 0 2 0 29 4
Total 49 7 0 0 2 0 0 0 51 7
New Mexico United 2024 USL Championship 35 3 3 1 38 4
Career total 122 11 0 0 5 1 0 0 127 12

Honors

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Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Talen Maples SMU profile". SMU Mustangs.
  2. ^ "Jon-Talen Maples profile". Major League Soccer.
  3. ^ Murray, George (February 2, 2021). "Meet Jon-Talen Maples: The Austin-area native headed to MLS". The Striker Texas.
  4. ^ "BV Cavalry FC adds three to 2018 roster". The Bryan-College Station Eagle. April 19, 2018.
  5. ^ "Toronto FC select Di Rosa, Crofts, Rothrock and Maples in the 2021 MLS Superdraft". Toronto FC. January 21, 2021.
  6. ^ "Toronto FC II Sign Talen Maples". Toronto FC. May 5, 2021.
  7. ^ "North Texas SC Falls 2–1 Away to Toronto FC II". FC Dallas. May 22, 2021.
  8. ^ "Match Report: Toronto Earns Second-Half Breakthrough, Downs North Carolina". USL League One. October 1, 2021.
  9. ^ "Toronto FC Announce Roster for Preseason Camp". Toronto FC. January 27, 2022.
  10. ^ "Houston Dynamo 2 sign six players to MLS Next Pro contracts". Houston Dynamo FC. February 19, 2022.
  11. ^ "Dynamo 2 defender Talen Maples named to MLS NEXT Pro Best XI". Dynamo Theory. September 23, 2022.
  12. ^ Aguerrevere, Juan (February 14, 2024). "New Mexico United announces signing of Talen Maples". New Mexico United.
  13. ^ "Massive Debut Season for Talen". x.com.
  14. ^ Talen Maples at Soccerway
  15. ^ "Talen Maples 2018 Stats". USL League Two.
  16. ^ "Talen Maples 2019 Stats". USL League Two.