Jay Joshua Herdman (born 14 August 2004) is a professional soccer player who currently plays for Canadian club Whitecaps FC 2 in MLS Next Pro. Born in New Zealand, he has represented both Canada and New Zealand at youth level.

Jay Herdman
Personal information
Full name Jay Joshua Herdman
Date of birth (2004-08-14) 14 August 2004 (age 19)
Place of birth Invercargill, New Zealand
Height 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Whitecaps FC 2
Number 92
Youth career
Hibiscus Coast
Surrey United SC
2017–2022 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– Whitecaps FC 2 30 (3)
2024Vancouver Whitecaps FC (loan) 1 (0)
International career
2022 Canada U20 1 (0)
2022 New Zealand U19 6 (3)
2022–2023 New Zealand U20 8 (3)
2023 New Zealand U22 2 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21 April 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 30 May 2023

Early life edit

Herdman began playing youth soccer at age four with Hibiscus Coast.[1] He moved to Canada at age 8, when his father was named the head coach of the Canada women's team.[2] He later played in Canada with Surrey United SC, before joining the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy in August 2017.[3] He spent time with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC first team during their 2021 and 2022 pre-seasons, including making an appearance in a pre-season fixture against Indy Eleven.[4]

Club career edit

In March 2022, Herdman signed a contract with Whitecaps FC 2.[4] He made his professional debut on 26 March against Houston Dynamo 2.[5] In November 2023, he signed an extension with the team for the 2024 season.[6] After participating in the 2024 pre-season with the Vancouver Whitecaps first team, he signed a short-term loan agreement with them ahead of their CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One first leg against Tigres UANL, but was an unused substitute in the match.[7] He signed addition short term loans on March 1 and April 19.[8][9] On April 20, he made his Major League Soccer debut, in a substitute appearance against Seattle Sounders FC.[10]

International career edit

Herdman is eligible for New Zealand through birth, England through parentage and Canada through residency.[11][12]

In April 2022, he was called up to the Canadian U20 team for the first time for a camp in Costa Rica.[1] He made his debut in a friendly during the camp against Costa Rica U20.[13]

In August 2022, he was named in the New Zealand U19 squad to contest the 2022 OFC U-19 Championship.[14] On 7 September 2022, Herdman made his debut scored his first goal against Cook Islands in an 8–0 win.[15] Herdman won the Golden Ball, as the top player in the tournament, which New Zealand won.[16]

In March 2023, he was called up to the New Zealand U22 for friendlies against China U24 (in preparation for the 2024 Olympic team, which is a U23 tournament).[17] He debuted for the U22s in the first match on 23 March,[18] and scored a late winner in a 2-1 victory on 26 March.[19]

In May 2023, he was named to the New Zealand U20 for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[20][21] He made his World Cup debut in the first match against Guatemala U20 on 20 May.[22] On 23 May, he scored in a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan U20.[23][24]

Personal life edit

Herdman is the son of current Toronto FC head coach John Herdman.[25]

Career statistics edit

As of 16 June 2023[26]
Club Season League Playoffs Domestic Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Whitecaps FC 2 2022 MLS Next Pro 18 2 18 2
2023 8 1 8 1
Career total 26 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 3

Honours edit

New Zealand

Individual

References edit

  1. ^ a b Jay Herdman at the Canadian Soccer Association
  2. ^ "Herdman out to be New Zealand's game-changer at U-20 World Cup". FIFA. 7 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Jay Herdman Whitecaps profile". Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
  4. ^ a b "WFC2 add five teenagers from Whitecaps FC BMO Academy". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 16 March 2022.
  5. ^ Fossey, Maxim (26 March 2022). "WFC2 open inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season with narrow 1-0 loss against Houston Dynamo 2". Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
  6. ^ "Whitecaps FC roster updates from first team and WFC2". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 17 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Whitecaps FC sign WFC2 midfielders Jeevan Badwal and Jay Herdman to MLS short-term agreements". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Whitecaps FC sign WFC2 midfielder Jay Herdman to second MLS short-term agreement". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 1 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Whitecaps FC sign WFC2 midfielder Jay Herdman to third MLS short-term agreement". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 19 April 2024.
  10. ^ Vallejo, Felipe (21 April 2024). "'Caps move back into first in the West". Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
  11. ^ "National U-20s midfielder Jay Herdman: 'The three coaches who've helped me'". Friends of Football. 8 May 2023.
  12. ^ "FIFA.com talks to Jay Herdman about upcoming U-20 World Cup in Argentina". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 10 May 2023.
  13. ^ Davidson, Neil (16 April 2022). "Canadian men's U-20 soccer team features some very familiar names". CBC Sports.
  14. ^ "Jay Herdman called up to New Zealand for FIFA U-20 World Cup qualifying". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 31 August 2022.
  15. ^ Jain, Arpita (24 November 2022). "Who Is Jay Herdman? John Herdman Is Proud Of His Son For Making Into Under 19 National Team". Current Affairs.
  16. ^ "Jay Herdman awarded Golden Ball after New Zealand's OFC U-19 Championship win". Friends of Football. 26 September 2022.
  17. ^ "Linder, Herdman called up to New Zealand U-23 national team". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 2 March 2023.
  18. ^ "New Zealand U-22s impress as they beat China 2-0 at Mt Smart Stadium". Friends of Football. 23 March 2023.
  19. ^ "Jay Herdman's late goal clinches 2-1 win for national U-22 side against China". Friend of Football. 26 March 2023.
  20. ^ "Jay Herdman named in NZ U-20 FIFA World Cup". 1 News. 1 May 2023.
  21. ^ "Linder and Herdman named to New Zealand's FIFA U-20 World Cup roster". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 2 May 2023.
  22. ^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup: Herdman helps New Zealand capture opening day win over Guatemala". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 20 May 2023.
  23. ^ "Jay Herdman scores at FIFA U-20 World Cup". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 23 May 2023.
  24. ^ Henry Jr, Larry (29 May 2023). "Jay Herdman, Juan Castilla headline top performances during FIFA U-20 World Cup group stage". MLS Next Pro.
  25. ^ Rollo, Phillip (3 September 2022). "John Herdman's son Jay pursues his own World Cup dream with Junior All Whites". Stuff.
  26. ^ Jay Herdman at Soccerway

External links edit