Ceres native Cade Cowell talked about the past, present and future while being asked questions about his soccer journey during the Aug. 13 episode of This is Vamos with Herc Gomez podcast.
Gomez, a retired United States Men’s National Team/Liga MX/Major League Soccer player, chatted with Cowell for 17-plus minutes.
Cowell, a 22-year-old winger with MLS-club New York Red Bulls, has followed a similar path to Gomez.
He’s also competed in Liga MX and represented the USMNT.
“When you go to the highest level, everyone is talented,” Cowell said. “Everyone is just as fast and strong. You got to work harder every day.”
Cowell expressed a strong desire to rejoin the United States Men’s National Team.
He missed the 2026 World Cup, which was hosted on American soil this summer.
“I’m dying to get back there,” he said. “I understood why I wasn’t there playing-wise. But I can be there. I’ve shown that I could be there.”
Cowell rooted for former teammates while watching U.S. advance to the Round of 16 of the World Cup.
“That was pretty awesome to see,” he said. “I’m sure they all feel so proud. I think the country was very proud of them as well.”
Cowell has appeared in 11 games with the U.S Men’s National Team.
He’s also represented the U.S. at the U-16, U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels. He played with the U.S. U-20 National Team in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, leading the squad with three goals and helping Team USA reach the quarterfinals.
He was last called up to the USMNT in November of 2024.
“I have a lot of work to keep doing,” Cowell said. “I’m dying to get the call-up again. I hope to stay there. That’s the hardest part.”
Cowell returned to MLS this past winter after spending the previous two seasons with Mexican-club Chivas.
The Red Bulls acquired Cowell from Chivas on Dec. 17 on a one-year loan with an option to buy following the 2026 season. New York also sent $50,000 in 2026 General Allocation Money to MLS club San Jose Earthquakes for Cowell’s Discovery Priority.
Cowell began his pro soccer career with the Quakes in 2019 and spent five seasons in San Jose. “Coming here was such perfect timing,” Cowell said while talking about returning to the United States to play for the Red Bulls. “I just want to show what I can do again.”
Cowell has gained confidence under Red Bulls’ first-year head coach Michael Bradley’s tutelage. A former USMNT and MLS player, Bradley competed at the pro level in Europe.
“I really appreciate what he’s done for me here,” said Cowell, who’s scored twice and dished out six assists while starting 19 games for New York. “He’s brought me back to life a little bit. I’m going in a much better direction now.”
Cowell experienced an unimaginable moment in his soccer career when the Red Bulls battled to a 2-2 draw with Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on April 11.
“He’s the best player in the world,” Cowell said. “It was pretty surreal (being on the same field).”
New York currently sit in eighth place in the 15-team Eastern Conference standings.
The Red Bulls accumulated seven wins, five draws and nine losses through their first 21 games.
“We’re not at the bottom of the table,” Cowell said. “We’ve competed with the best teams. We’ve earned a lot of respect for that.”
Cowell became a fan favorite during his two-year stint with Chivas.
“It was life-changing,” he said. “I’m super grateful for that club. The fans were always great to me and my family.”
Cowell made history by becoming the first USMNT player to suit up for the Liga MX club.
He collected 12 goals and five assists in 69 appearances.
“The altitude was one of the most challenging things in Mexico,” Cowell said. “It helped to get out of my comfort zone to deal with pressure and not playing in front of my family every weekend. That helped me grow up.”
Cowell has been playing professional soccer since the age of 15.
A Homegrown Player, Cowell signed a first-team contract with San Jose in January of 2019.
In five MLS seasons, the Quakes Academy product collected 10 goals and 15 assists in 104 appearances.
Cowell joined the Quakes Academy from local club Ballistic United after the 2017-18 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season, when he led the nation with 34 goals in 32 appearances at the Under-15 level.
Cowell started playing soccer at the age of four.
He spent two seasons in the Ceres Youth Soccer Organization’s recreational league.
Cowell played 71/2 years of competitive soccer, including two with Ceres Earthquakes FC, three with the Modesto Ajax, and 21/2 with the Ballistic United Academy.
Cowell attended Ceres Christian Preschool, Sam Vaughn Elementary and Louie Arrollo Jr. High.
Cowell and his wife Lysaida welcomed their first child in March.
When asked how fatherhood changed him, Cowell said: “It’s a question I didn’t understand until it happened. I’m playing for a reason now. When I was a kid I was doing it because I just wanted to be better. Now, I want to show her (my daughter) all this hard work is for her and to keep building my family up.”
