Ceres native Cade Cowell is currently enjoying his best season to date with the San Jose Earthquakes.

Cowell, who turned 17 last October, has three goals and three assists in 11 Major League Soccer (MLS) appearances this year.

“To watch him grow and impact games, it’s fun,” Earthquakes’ teammate Tommy Thompson said during an interview with MLS contributor Tom Bogert on April 30. “He’s a special talent. I don’t want to put expectations or any type of limits—it’s important to let young players grow—but I’m excited to see what he can do.”

“Every single day, you have to prove something,” Cowell stated to the Courier this past season. “You have to take every practice and game serious. If you have a bad week of training, there’s a chance you might not get rostered. It’s super competitive. I just try to work as hard as possible.”

Cowell, a 5-foot-11 166-pound forward, tallied his team-leading third goal of the season while contributing off the bench in the second half of the Earthquakes’ 3-1 home loss to L.A. Galaxy during the California Classico in front of a sellout crowd Saturday evening at PayPal Stadium.

Cowell collected a pass from San Jose midfielder Javier “Chofis” Lopez near the edge of the box in the 82nd minute and ripped a left-footed shot into the lower-right corner of the goal.

Cowell also ranks first on the team in assists.

Cowell joined the record books on April 24 when he became the sixth youngest player in MLS history to tally a goal and an assist in a single match during San Jose’s 3-1 win over visiting FC Dallas.

Cowell accounted for what proved to be the game-winning assist in the 49th minute. Using the outside of his right foot, Cowell slotted a through pass to Earthquakes’ midfielder Cristian Espinoza.

Cowell scored in the 59th minute as he fired a left-footed shot past FC Dallas goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer.

Cowell’s outstanding play earned him a spot on the MLS Team of the Week. 

He earned MLSsoccer.com Pass of the Week honors.

Cowell became the third-youngest player to be named MLS Player of the Week following his Week 3 performance. He scored the winning goal and dished out two assists in a 4-1 victory over D.C. United on May 1.

“It is nice to be named to things, but I’m really just focused on what I can control, and that is playing well,” Cowell said.

“That’s what excites me a lot about him,” Earthquakes’ head coach Matias Almeyda said through a translator while being interviewed by Bogert. “I talk to him often. He’s a humble player. Humble from his heart. He listens, he wants to learn, he asks questions. That makes me think he’s going to be a great player. But you have to understand this takes time.”

A third-year member of the Earthquakes, Cowell totaled one goal and one assist in 18 games a season ago. 

He started four times.

He attempted 16 shots.

Cowell accomplished several firsts with San Jose in 2020.

He became the youngest player in Earthquakes’ history to make a postseason appearance. Cowell and eighth-seeded San Jose fell lost 3-1 in a penalty-kick shootout to top-seeded Sporting Kansas City in Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs on Nov. 22 at Children’s Mercy Park.

Cowell became the youngest player to start and score in team history in San Jose’s narrow 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy on Aug. 29.

He also became the eighth-youngest goalscorer in league history.

He was just 16 at the time.

Cowell made his MLS debut against Minnesota United FC in March of 2020.

He didn’t make any appearances in MLS play as a rookie.

Cowell inked a five-year contract with San Jose at the age of 15 in January of 2019.

He became the youngest player signing in Earthquakes and Bay Area team sports history.

“He’s maturing as a person and player,” said Debin Cowell, Cade’s father. “He doesn’t brag on himself. He’s really humble and down to earth. He’s just a good kid. That’s what I’m most proud of.”

Cowell earned a call-up in January to the United States U-23 national team’s training camp, which was staged at the IMG Academy in Florida.

The U-23 squad trained alongside the senior team, which routed Trinidad and Tobago 7-0 during a friendly match in Orlando.

“I am not sure when and if I will get a call back,” Cowell said at the time. “But it was an overall awesome experience that makes me realize I need to work hard every day to stay on that level. Being a part of that someday when I am ready will be a dream come true. Now, it’s time to get back to training and earn a starting spot at San Jose.”

Cowell was named to the United States senior team’s 53-man preliminary roster for next month’s CONCACAF Gold Cup on June 18.

Head coach Gregg Berhalter will select his 23-man squad today.

“I’m in a stage right now where there’s so many things that I need to get better at, and that’s just going to take me so much higher,” Cowell stated while being interviewed by U.S. soccer correspondent Jeff Carlisle.