Ceres Youth Soccer Organization’s Earthquakes competitive program surprised its membership with a special guest earlier this month.
Cade Cowell, a former player and current member of the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer (MLS), returned to his hometown on June 4 to sign autographs for local youth and families during a meet-and-greet at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park.
Ceres Mayor Javier Lopez, Vice Mayor Daniel Martinez and Councilmember Cerina Otero presented a key to the city to Cowell.
“This is where I grew up playing,” 22-year-old Cowell stated while being interviewed by Cal North Soccer’s Javier Arellano. “It’s a very special place for me. To represent my city, it’s no better feeling.”
“Thank you Cade Cowell for taking the time to visit the youth in our community,” Otero stated in a post on Facebook. “I appreciate your willingness to give back and inspire the next generation of players right here in Ceres.”
“Cade took the time to give back to the community by signing autographs for the kids, kicking the soccer ball around with them, and reconnecting with the same community and soccer organization where he got his start, CYSO, in association with Cal North,” Lopez said in a post on Instagram. “He was also reunited with some of his former coaches, making the moment even more special.”
Cowell returned to MLS this past winter after spending the previous two seasons with Mexican club Chivas Guadalajara of Liga MX.
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.
“I’m very excited to return to MLS again,” Cowell stated. “It will be a new challenge being on the East Coast, which I look forward to.”
“We are very excited to add Cade to our roster, he is a quick, skillful attacking player that will be an important part of our frontline next season,” said Julian de Guzman, Head of Sport for the New York Red Bulls. “He has had proven success in MLS, and we are looking forward to seeing what he can accomplish with us.”
Cowell was the first major signing for Red Bulls’ new head coach/former United States Men’s National Team Captain Michael Bradley.
“When the Red Bulls reached out, I was extremely happy,” Cowell said. “They are such a big name in the U.S. and have a lot of connections in Europe.”
“Cade is an experienced young player who’s already proven he can compete at a high level,” Bradley stated. “His talent and work rate will add real value to our group and we are looking forward to having the opportunity to work with him.”
A speedy winger, Cowell has high hopes for the 2026 season.
“This year, I’m really looking to connect well with my teammates and have a great run in playoffs,” he said. “I hope to contribute lots of goals and assists. I hope a call up (to the U.S. Men’s National Team) will come with that.”
Cowell signed with Chivas in January of 2024.
He became the first USMNT player to suit up for the Liga MX club.
Cowell collected 12 goals and five assists in 69 appearances.
He scored his first career goal in a 3-1 win over Forge FC in the first round of the 2023-24 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
He tallied one goal and one assist during his final game with Chivas, which lost 3-2 to Cruz Azul in the quarterfinal of the second leg of Liga MX 2025 Apertura play on Nov. 30 in Mexico City.
Cowell bid farewell to Chivas coaches, teammates and fans via social media following his return to MLS.
“I will forever be grateful to say that I played with Chivas,” he said. “Such a huge club and amazing fans that love and support.”
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 set numerous age-specific Earthquakes records during his tenure, including youngest player to make his MLS debut (16 years, 150 days), youngest player to make an MLS start (16 years, 325 days), and youngest player to score an MLS goal (16 years, 325 days).
Cowell made MLS history in 2021 by becoming the youngest player selected to the All-Star Team.
He became the youngest player in MLS history to make 100 league appearances and was selected to the MLS 22 Under 22 list for the third consecutive year in 2023.
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.
Nearly seven months later, Cowell ascended to the professional ranks, becoming the youngest first-team player in Earthquakes and Bay Area team sports history (15 years, 102 days), as well as the fourth-youngest signing ever in MLS history at the time.
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.
Cowell started playing soccer at the age of four under grandfather Ed’s tutelage.
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 School and Cesar Chavez Jr. High in Ceres.
“The message is really clear,” Cowell stated to Arellano while talking about his soccer journey. “It can happen to anyone with hard work. I started playing on these fields right here. That’s pretty crazy. Then I went to Modesto. I went to Pleasanton. From Pleasanton, I went to San Jose. That’s where I started my professional career.”
