By the time Jordan Jones signed with FC ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, he had missed the first five games of the club’s inaugural USL League One season.
Now, FC ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is down to its last six regular-season games, all but one of which will be played in the Old Pueblo.
The Men in Black are home again Friday, when they host Lansing Ignite FC at Kino North Stadium. FC ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is in seventh place in the league but remains one point out of the fourth and final playoff spot. Forward Madison is in fourth place with 32 points; FC ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has 31.
“I think it’s huge that we get to play at home so many times at the end of the season,†Jones said. “It’s an important stretch, and we know we need results to get to the playoffs — which is the ultimate goal. And I think we can do it if we keep playing how we’re playing. Coming off the six-game road stretch, the results we got weren’t bad because it’s tough to play in (tough) environments, week after week, on the road.â€
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Since joining FC ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Jones has become an instrumental part of the team’s attack.
The Pacific Grove, California, native has recorded 1,318 minutes in 16 matches, with 15 starts. Jones leads the club in goals (seven) and shots (29), and is tied with Jamael Cox for most assists (three).
Jones has scored in the last four games and has been named to the USL League One Team of the Week six times — most recently for Week 22, after Jones scored an insurance goal for FC ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ against Orlando City B.
“It’s my job to score goals,†Jordan said. “And getting Team of the Week, it’s cool to be recognized by the league, but it’s a testament to my teammates. I think all of us can be in positions like that, and all of us can step up and do the job.â€

FC ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Jordan Jones (99) and Richmond’s Maxi Rodr’guez (21) try to bring down a ball near midfield in the first half of their USL League One game at Kino Sports Complex, Saturday, June 8, 2019, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
Jones came to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ after a short stint with USL Championship side Rio Grande Valley FC. While in south Texas, Jones appeared in 19 matches. Before that, Jones played collegiately at Oregon State. He registered 29 goals, six assists and eight game-winners in 4,551 minutes of play over four years with the Beavers. Jones was also named to the All-Pac-12 Second Team three times while at OSU.
After graduating from OSU, Jones was drafted in the third round, 47th overall, by LAFC in the 2018 MLS Super Draft.
After spending his first professional season with the RVG Toros, Jones was looking to get closer to home. Last year, Jones spent the preseason with New York Red Bulls and came to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ for a preseason event. He spent a couple of weeks in the Old Pueblo but still didn’t know much about ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
Then a former RGV Toros teammate, Zach Wright, signed with FC ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. Jones talked to Wright about the club and eventually found a spot on the roster for himself.
He never thought he’d have such success, so quickly.
Sure, maybe forwards tend to get more credit for scoring the goals, but Jones believes his success is a testament to his teammates.
“I honestly didn’t expect it to go as well as it’s been and to be playing as well as I’m doing — it’s awesome,†Jones said. “It’s obviously a job, and it’s a business, but it’s something that I started doing as a kid, and I still get to do what I get to do for a living. It’s great. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s been awesome.â€