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JT Marcinkowski
JT Marcinkowski
from Wikipedia

James Thomas "JT" Marcinkowski (born May 9, 1997) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy.

Key Information

Career

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College and amateur

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Marcinkowski played for the Georgetown Hoyas for three seasons, from 2015 to 2017, where he achieved a 0.84 goals against average (GAA) over 56 appearances. In his final season at Georgetown, he captained the team to a 2017 Big East Conference Men's Soccer Tournament championship win, his second with the team.[2] He also played two games for the USL PDL side Burlingame Dragons.[3]

Professional

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Marcinkowski signed a Homegrown Player contract with the MLS side San Jose Earthquakes on December 6, 2017, after spending four years prior to his college career with the team's academy. He was San Jose's third ever Homegrown signing to the first team, after Tommy Thompson and Nick Lima.[4] Marcinkowski was then temporarily loaned to San Jose's USL affiliate Reno 1868 FC, and played his first game for the team in Reno's 3–4 loss to Swope Park Rangers on March 17, 2018.[5]

On January 16, 2025, Marcinkowski signed a two-year deal with LA Galaxy as a free agent.[6]

International

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Born in the United States, Marcinkowski is of Polish descent.[7] He has played for the United States' men's national team at multiple levels, earning 24 caps between the U14 and U18 levels.[8] In 2017, he played for the U20 squad, at the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship and the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[9] Marcinkowski was named to the final 20-player United States under-23 roster for the 2020 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship in March 2021.[10]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of May 20, 2023[11]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Burlingame Dragons 2016 PDL 2 0 2 0
San Jose Earthquakes 2018 MLS 5 0 5 0
2019 0 0 0 0
2020 11 0 1[a] 0 12 0
2021 33 0 33 0
2022 33 0 33 0
2023 11 0 11 0
Total 93 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 94 0
Reno 1868 (loan) 2018 USL 24 0 24 0
2019 16 0 1 0 17 0
2020 1 0 1 0
Total 41 0 1 0 42 0
Career total 136 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 138 0
  1. ^ Appearance in MLS Cup Playoffs

Honors

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
James Thomas "JT" Marcinkowski (born May 9, 1997) is an American professional soccer goalkeeper who plays for (MLS) club . Marcinkowski grew up in , and began his youth career with local clubs before joining the academy. He attended from 2015 to 2017, where he excelled as a freshman in 2015, earning BIG EAST Freshman of the Year and First Team All-BIG EAST honors with a 16-2-3 record, nine shutouts, and a 0.69 goals-against average (GAA). As team captain in 2016, he started 15 games, recording four shutouts and 63 saves with a 1.23 GAA. In his junior year of 2017, he led the Hoyas to a 12-3-2 record, a BIG EAST Championship, and an NCAA Tournament appearance, where he was named Most Outstanding Defensive Player. After college, Marcinkowski signed as a homegrown player with the San Jose Earthquakes in December 2017. He made his MLS debut in 2018, starting five matches and recording one shutout, while on loan to USL affiliate Reno 1868 FC, he started 24 games with five shutouts and was named the team's Rookie of the Year. In 2019, he spent the season with Reno, making 16 starts, earning four shutouts, USL Team of the Week honors (Week 17), and USL Player of the Week (Week 31). Marcinkowski became a regular starter for San Jose in 2020, appearing in 11 MLS matches with a 6-3-2 record and four shutouts, followed by full seasons in 2021 (33 starts, five shutouts, 129 saves) and 2022 (33 starts, four shutouts, 111 saves). In 2023, he made 13 appearances (12 starts) with four shutouts and a 1.22 GAA, but missed the entire 2024 season due to a knee injury. Over five seasons with San Jose (2018–2023), he totaled 96 appearances (95 starts) across all competitions. In January 2025, Marcinkowski signed a two-year contract with through the 2026 MLS season, with a club option for 2027. During the 2025 season, he made 3 appearances (all starts), recording 1 , 4 saves, and conceding 3 goals with a 57.1% save percentage (as of the end of the regular season). On the international stage, he represented the youth national teams from U-14 to U-18, earning 24 caps with 13 , and was part of the U-20 squad that won the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship and competed in the . He has attended U.S. Men's National Team training camps in 2020 and 2021 but has not yet earned a senior cap.

Early life and education

Upbringing and family

James Thomas Marcinkowski, known as JT, was born on May 9, 1997, in . Marcinkowski grew up in a family of four siblings—himself, older brother Joe (a mechanical engineer), sister Stephanie (a dancer), and younger brother Johnny (an associate athletic trainer for football at )—where athletics were a central focus from an early age. His parents, including father Steve who coached his youth teams, instilled values of positive thinking, hard work, and perseverance in sports, encouraging all siblings to pursue their interests with dedication. As a child, Marcinkowski participated in multiple , playing as a and until the end of seventh grade, reflecting the family's broad emphasis on physical activity and competition. His initial exposure to soccer came through the Mustang Soccer Club in the Bay Area, where he trained from U-9 to U-14 levels over six years, developing foundational ball skills under coaches Fred Wilson and Juan Guerrero.

High school and youth development

Marcinkowski attended De La Salle High School in , where he graduated in 2015 as a member of the high honor roll. As a in 2012, Marcinkowski was ranked the No. 11 overall youth soccer prospect in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer, highlighting his early promise as a top-tier talent. His high school performances contributed to team successes in local competitions, though specific game logs from his varsity career remain limited in public records; scouts noted his maturity and technical proficiency beyond his years, which drew attention from college programs. Marcinkowski's youth development began with the elite Mustang Soccer Club in the Bay Area, where he played from U-9 through U-14 levels, serving as a six-year starter and two-year captain. In 2011, he helped the team win the State Cup, a key milestone that showcased his leadership and reliability in goal. Transitioning to the Academy's U-16 team that same year, he continued to excel in a professional youth environment, earning invitations to U.S. Under-14 and Under-15 Boys' National Team training camps, which underscored his rapid progression toward national-level consideration.

Club career

College and amateur

Marcinkowski committed to in 2015, drawn in part by his involvement with the U.S. youth national teams, and enrolled that fall to play for the Hoyas men's soccer team from 2015 to 2017. As a freshman in 2015, he started all 21 games, posting a 16-2-3 record with a 0.69 goals-against average (GAA), 63 saves, and nine shutouts, while earning BIG EAST Freshman of the Year and First Team All-BIG EAST honors as the Hoyas captured their first BIG EAST Championship. In his sophomore year of 2016, Marcinkowski served as team captain, starting all 15 games he appeared in with a 4-9-2 record, 63 saves, a 1.23 GAA, and four shutouts. His junior season in 2017 saw him lead the team to a 14-4-2 overall record and another BIG EAST Championship, culminating in an Tournament appearance where he was named Most Outstanding Defensive Player and earned All-Tournament Team honors; over his three-year career, he compiled a 34-15-7 record with 194 saves and a 0.84 GAA, along with two All-Great Lakes Region selections. During the summer of 2016, Marcinkowski gained amateur experience with Burlingame Dragons FC, the Premier Development League (PDL) affiliate of the San Jose Earthquakes, to further develop his professional readiness.

San Jose Earthquakes

Marcinkowski signed a Homegrown Player contract with the San Jose Earthquakes on December 6, 2017, ahead of the 2018 MLS season, marking him as the third academy product to join the first team and the club's first homegrown goalkeeper. He initially spent time developing with the club's USL Championship affiliate, Reno 1868 FC, on loan during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, where he made 40 appearances, recorded nine clean sheets, and earned USL Championship Team of the Week honors in 2019 along with Player of the Week for Week 31 after a standout performance. In 2022 and 2023, he appeared four times for Earthquakes II in MLS Next Pro, the club's reserve team, logging 360 minutes and one clean sheet to maintain match fitness. Marcinkowski made his MLS debut for the Earthquakes on September 19, 2018, starting in a 4-1 loss to Atlanta United FC, and went on to make five starts that season, including his first clean sheet in a 3-0 win over the Colorado Rapids on October 21. He saw limited action in 2019 with no MLS appearances due to his loan, but earned a larger role in 2020 amid the shortened season, starting all 11 matches with a 6-3-2 record, four shutouts, and 25 saves, including a start in the MLS Cup Playoffs Knockout Round where he played 120 minutes in a 3-3 (6-5 on penalties) loss to Sporting Kansas City on November 22. By 2021, he had established himself as the primary starter, appearing in all 33 regular-season matches with five clean sheets and 128 saves, a role he maintained through 2022 with 33 starts, four shutouts, and 111 saves, highlighted by a career-high eight saves in a 3-2 win over LA Galaxy on July 13. Marcinkowski's tenure faced challenges in 2023 when a multi-ligament injury (torn ACL, MCL, and PCL after kneecap ) sustained in October sidelined him for the final four regular-season games and the entire 2024 season, limiting him to 13 appearances (12 starts), four clean sheets, and 38 saves that year; he did not feature in MLS play during 2024 while recovering. In total, he made 95 MLS regular-season appearances (94 starts) for the Earthquakes from 2018 to 2023, with 18 clean sheets. The club declined his contract option for 2025 in November 2024, leading to his departure as a and subsequent signing with on January 16, 2025.

LA Galaxy

On January 16, 2025, the LA Galaxy signed JT Marcinkowski as a free agent to a two-year contract through the end of the 2026 MLS season, with a club option for 2027. At the time, his estimated market value was approximately €200,000, reflecting his experience as a reliable MLS goalkeeper. The move strengthened the Galaxy's goalkeeping depth, providing competition and rotation options behind primary goalkeeper Novak Mićović and alongside Brady Scott. Marcinkowski's integration into the first team was gradual during the 2025 season, influenced by his ongoing recovery from a major knee injury sustained in 2023 while with the , which limited his early availability. He primarily served in a and rotational , making three MLS appearances for a total of 270 minutes, including one clean sheet in a 3-0 victory over the , where he recorded one save. Additionally, he featured in four matches with LA Galaxy's affiliate, Ventura County FC, logging 360 minutes, securing one shutout, and conceding four goals while earning a strong average rating of 7.79. These outings highlighted his adaptation to the team's defensive structure and his contributions to maintaining competitive depth. Despite the challenges of transitioning from a long tenure with a rival club, Marcinkowski's prior MLS experience facilitated his adjustment, allowing him to provide stability in key moments and support the Galaxy's roster bolstering efforts for a playoff push. His performances underscored a focus on reliability rather than immediate starting prominence, aligning with the club's strategy to build a versatile backline.

International career

Youth international

Marcinkowski began his international career with the youth national teams at the U-14 level, accumulating 24 caps across the U-14 through U-18 age groups while recording 13 clean sheets. His initial senior youth call-up came in 2015 to the U-18 Men's National Team (MNT) for training camps and tournaments, including a three-team tournament against and at StubHub Center in . These appearances highlighted his emerging talent as a reliable , contributing to the team's defensive efforts in developmental matches. Transitioning to the U-20 level in 2016, Marcinkowski earned key roster spots through 2018, including the 2016 Dallas Cup, where he appeared for the team, starting in at least one match. Widely regarded as one of the top amateur goalkeepers in the country during this period, his consistent performances at influenced his selections to U.S. youth squads. He featured in multiple training camps, such as the NTC Invitational in June 2016 and a January 2017 camp ahead of qualifying. Marcinkowski's U-20 career peaked in 2017 with participation in the U-20 Championship in , where he made appearances, helping the secure the tournament title and qualification for the . He traveled to as part of the 21-player roster for the , serving as a reserve behind during the group's matches. Overall, he recorded seven caps with the U-20s across these standout tournaments, solidifying his role in the program's developmental pipeline.

Senior international

Marcinkowski earned his first call-up to a senior men's national team (USMNT) in May 2019, when he was included in a combined roster of senior and U-23 players preparing for the . He followed this with selection for the USMNT's annual camp in 2020, which featured a mix of established players and emerging talents ahead of matches against and . He was also selected for the combined USMNT/U-23 2021 camp in . In December 2020, Marcinkowski received another senior call-up to replace injured goalkeeper for a training camp leading into a friendly against . He remained an unused substitute on the bench during the USMNT's 6-0 victory over on December 9, 2020, at Stadium, serving as the backup to starter . Marcinkowski's senior involvement remained limited after 2020, with no further official call-ups until March 2025, when he joined the USMNT training camp as a fourth for the 2025 finals. As of November 2025, he has not earned a full international cap but has been recognized for his potential as a depth option behind established goalkeepers like Matt Turner and , building on his extensive youth international experience.

Playing style

Technical attributes

Marcinkowski excels in shot-stopping through quick reflexes and astute positioning, allowing him to make crucial interventions during high-pressure moments. In the 2021 MLS season, he recorded 128 saves with a save percentage of 72.1%, outperforming post-shot expected goals by +3.4, which underscores his reliability in denying scoring opportunities. His ability to anticipate shooter movements and maintain a strong presence on his line has been particularly evident in matches against top attacking sides. A key aspect of Marcinkowski's game is his distribution, where he demonstrates precision in long-range passing to initiate counterattacks and build from the back. During the 2022 MLS campaign, he achieved an overall passing accuracy of 73.3% (770 out of 1,050 passes), completing 265 out of 535 long passes attempted (49.5%), facilitating smooth transitions for his team. These foot skills were developed early in his youth career with the Mustang Soccer Club, emphasizing ball control and vision under pressure. At 6 feet 1 inch tall, Marcinkowski commands the aerial domain effectively, using his height and timing to dominate crosses and set pieces within the . This physical presence enables him to claim high balls assertively, reducing second-chance threats and bolstering defensive organization. His growth in this area has progressed from collegiate play at to consistent professional performances. In the 2025 MLS season with , as of November 2025, he has made 3 appearances (all starts), recording 4 saves and 1 shutout, continuing to demonstrate these attributes post-injury.

Strengths and weaknesses

Marcinkowski has demonstrated consistency in high-pressure games, maintaining composure throughout full 90-minute MLS matches under continuous pressure. His qualities are evident from his role as at , where he was honored as a for his , and his current position as an Executive Board Member of the MLS Players Association. At age 28, he retains notable , with scouting reports highlighting his extreme quickness as a key asset in goal. Building briefly on his technical attributes, this agility complements his reflexes. However, Marcinkowski has occasionally committed errors in build-up play, particularly in earlier career seasons where such mistakes contributed to defensive vulnerabilities. His injury history, including a severe 2023 injury involving tears to the ACL, PCL, and MCL that sidelined him for over 500 days and impacted availability into 2025, has affected his overall reliability. Following recovery, he returned to play in 2025, making limited appearances for as of November 2025.

Personal life

Family and background

Marcinkowski hails from a Polish-American family, with his originating as a habitational name derived from various Polish places called Marcinkowo or Marcinkowice. He is the youngest of four siblings, including three athletic brothers—Joe, , and himself—alongside sister , all raised with a strong family focus on perseverance and positive thinking. His father, Steve, coached his youth teams and emphasized seeing the upside in challenges, fostering a household mantra of daily self-improvement: "being better than I was yesterday." Joe, the eldest brother, graduated from Monte Vista High School and became a mechanical engineer at Cal Poly before joining a startup in Redwood . Johnny excelled in , , and soccer at De La Salle High , winning four North Coast Section soccer titles, and now serves as an associate for football at . has pursued achievements in and , working with USA high school programs. In January 2025, following his signing with the as a through 2026, Marcinkowski relocated to the area, while preserving strong connections to his Bay Area family and upbringing.

Off-field activities

Marcinkowski maintains an active professional network on , connecting with over 130 individuals in soccer and related fields, reflecting his engagement beyond the pitch. His interests extend to fitness and local causes, as demonstrated through his promotion of healthy lifestyles via community programs and advocacy for initiatives like San Jose Clean Energy. A dedicated philanthropist, Marcinkowski has been deeply involved with since joining the in 2018, serving as a board member and co-chairing events such as the Bocce Ball Bash in May 2024. He has volunteered extensively with the organization's Unified Soccer Team, speaking at their signing day events, attending matches—including one against the Chicago Fire at in October 2024—and providing mentorship to athletes, often prioritizing these commitments even after demanding games. His mother's lifelong passion for the cause has influenced this work, grounding his off-field efforts in family values. For his contributions, including partnerships with the Quakes’ Unified Team and San Jose Steamrollers to promote equitable soccer access, Marcinkowski received the ' Andrew Bedard Spirit of the Game/Humanitarian of the Year award in 2024—his third overall (previously in 2021 and 2023)—and was nominated for the 2024 MLS Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award. Marcinkowski participates in MLS community events, such as coaching at Earthquakes Summer Camps and leading free Get EQ Fit clinics to encourage among third- and fourth-graders in local schools. He has also collaborated with the League of Women Voters on a drive at ahead of the 2024 election, underscoring his commitment to in . In media appearances, Marcinkowski has discussed his USMNT aspirations and career transitions, including a February 2025 on KMET Radio's "Soccer in 60" where he addressed the psychological aspects of joining the as a . He has further shared insights on his philanthropic motivations in a 2022 San Jose Earthquakes video , emphasizing the joy of building friendships with athletes.

Career statistics

Club

Marcinkowski began his professional club career with the , signing a Homegrown Player contract in December 2017 ahead of the 2018 season. He made his MLS debut that year and spent the next seven seasons with the Earthquakes, primarily as their starting from 2020 onward, before transferring to the in January 2025. Across his MLS career through November 2025, Marcinkowski has recorded 98 appearances (97 starts), 162 goals against, a 1.67 (GA90), 19 clean sheets, 326 saves, and a 69.3% save percentage.

San Jose Earthquakes MLS Regular Season (2018–2024)

During his time with San Jose, Marcinkowski appeared in 95 MLS regular-season matches, posting 18 clean sheets and a career MLS GA90 of 1.69. He did not feature in the 2019 or 2024 MLS regular seasons, spending 2019 primarily on loan in the USL Championship and missing 2024 due to injury recovery and limited opportunities behind the starting goalkeeper.
SeasonAppearances (Starts)MinutesGA90SavesSave%Clean Sheets
20185 (5)4502.202067.71
202011 (11)9901.272563.24
202133 (33)2,9701.6112872.15
202233 (33)2,9252.0311166.14
202313 (12)1,1121.213875.54
Total95 (94)8,4471.6932267.418
Source: fbref.com

USL Championship Loans (Reno 1868 FC, 2018–2020)

Marcinkowski gained early professional experience through loans to , the Earthquakes' affiliate, where he made 41 appearances across three seasons, recording 9 clean sheets and a 1.39 GA90.
SeasonAppearances (Starts)MinutesGA90SavesSave%Clean Sheets
201824 (24)2,1601.256970.45
201916 (16)1,4401.566372.14
20201 (1)901.00266.70
Total41 (41)3,6901.3913470.59
Source: fbref.com

LA Galaxy (2025)

After joining the , Marcinkowski served as a in the 2025 MLS regular season, appearing in 3 matches early in the campaign with 1 clean sheet and a 1.00 GA90. He also featured in 4 matches for the 's affiliate (Ventura County FC) during the season.
CompetitionAppearances (Starts)MinutesGAClean Sheets
MLS Regular Season3 (3)27031
4 (4)36041
Source: transfermarkt.us

Playoff and Cup Statistics

Marcinkowski's playoff experience is limited to one appearance in the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs with San Jose, where he conceded 3 goals in a first-round loss to . He has one recorded appearance in the U.S. Open Cup with . No appearances were recorded in the through 2025.
CompetitionSeasonClubAppearancesGoals ConcededClean Sheets
MLS Cup Playoffs2020130
2019110
2025Ventura County FC130
Sources: transfermarkt.us, thecup.us, espn.com

International

Marcinkowski began his international career with the youth national teams, earning 24 caps across the U-14 through U-18 levels, during which he recorded 13 shutouts. His performances at these levels included participation in the 2014 International Tournament of Vaclav Jezek in the , where the U.S. team emerged victorious. At the U-20 level, Marcinkowski was part of the squad that won the 2017 U-20 Championship in , securing qualification for the . He traveled with the team to the 2017 in , serving as a backup goalkeeper behind , though specific match appearances in qualifiers and tournaments remain limited in public records. Marcinkowski advanced to the U-23 level as part of the pathway to the senior and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, appearing in all eight training camps during the cycle, including a joint camp with the senior USMNT in 2019. He was named to the final 20-player roster for the 2020 in March 2021 but did not feature in matches, with the ultimately failing to qualify. Despite his youth international experience, Marcinkowski has yet to earn a senior cap for the USMNT as of November 2025. He has been called into senior training camps, including those in preparation for the 2020 Olympic qualifiers in 2020 and 2021, and served as an unused substitute in a friendly match against on December 9, 2020.

Youth International Statistics

LevelAppearancesClean SheetsNotes
U-14 to U-182413Aggregate across levels; includes 2014 Vaclav Jezek Tournament win.
U-20Roster participationNot specified2017 U-20 Championship (winners) and ; backup role.
U-23Roster participation (no match appearances)0Multiple training camps; 2020 Olympic Qualifying roster.

Senior International Statistics

LevelAppearancesClean SheetsGoals ConcededNotes
USMNT000Training camps (2020, 2021); unused substitute vs. (Dec 2020).

Honors

Club honors

During his tenure with the San Jose Earthquakes from 2018 to 2024, Marcinkowski contributed to the team's qualification for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in the 2020 season, marking their first postseason appearance since 2017. In the first round, San Jose drew 3–3 with top-seeded before losing 3–0 in the ensuing on November 22, 2020, with Marcinkowski starting and playing the full 120 minutes. The Earthquakes finished eighth in the Western Conference that year with a 10–4–3 record, securing the spot amid the league's condensed format. While on loan to , San Jose's affiliate, from March to September 2018, Marcinkowski appeared in 24 regular-season matches, helping the team finish seventh in the Western Conference and qualify for the , though he was recalled to the first team before Reno's postseason run to the conference semifinals. Reno posted a 16–7–11 record that season but did not win any titles. In 2019, Marcinkowski returned on loan and made 16 starts, contributing to Reno's franchise-record 18 regular-season wins and second-place finish in the Western Conference, qualifying for the where the team advanced to the conference semifinals. With the in 2025, Marcinkowski's debut MLS season with the club, the team struggled early and ultimately failed to qualify for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, finishing outside the Western Conference postseason positions despite entering as defending champions from 2024. The Galaxy recorded no major team achievements that year.

International honors

Marcinkowski has represented the at various youth international levels, earning 24 caps across the U-14 to U-18 teams with 13 shutouts to his credit. He was a member of the U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team that won the 2013 Niigata International Tournament in . In 2014, Marcinkowski featured for the U.S. Under-18 squad that claimed the International Tournament of Vaclav Jezek in the , going undefeated with a 3-0-0 record. At the Under-20 level, Marcinkowski was part of the roster for the 2017 U-20 Championship in , where the secured its first regional title with a 5-3 victory over in the final after a 0-0 draw. He also represented the U.S. Under-20 team at the 2017 in , though the squad exited in the group stage. Marcinkowski has been called up to multiple U.S. Men's National Team training camps, including in 2019, 2020, and 2021, but has yet to earn a senior cap as of November 2025.

References

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