It’s been a busy but exciting couple months for Earthquakes U-16 Academy player CJ Grey. Since December, Grey has achieved numerous personal and professional goals, including committing to a collegiate future and furthering his soccer career, all before turning 17 years old.
In April, Grey added another accomplishment to his impressive resume by being called up to the Jamaican U-20 National Team. The defender, who lives in San Jose and attends Los Altos High, is the son of two Jamaica-born parents and has visited the Caribbean island nation numerous times.
“I’m excited to show the coaches that I belong in that group,” Grey said. “Hopefully I’ll get called to play in their tournament in the Dominican Republic coming up.”
This isn’t Grey’s first experience being called up to international duty. In fact, it’s his fourth. In January he was called up to the United States U-18 National Team camp in Sarasota, Florida, an experience that Grey described as “second to none.” Prior to that he was called up twice to the United States U-14 teams.
Grey attributes a lot of his success to his experience with the Earthquakes Academy and the mentoring of head coach Paul Holocher, though it hasn’t come without challenges. Recently, he made the switch from his natural position at left-back to center-back. Grey admitted it was a tough change at first, but that ultimately it made him a better, more well-rounded player.
“CJ is a terrific soccer player,” said Holocher. “He has been a consistent stand-out performer all year and we are glad that Jamaica has taken notice of his qualities and that he is getting this opportunity at the U-20 age level."
Committing to an exceptional academic school where he could also play soccer was a priority for the defender and he achieved that goal by pledging to the University of California, Berkeley, last December.
“Coach Paul always expects the best out of you,” Grey explained. “To have a coach that really, truly believes in you and just puts you into the game even though you may not believe in yourself. He really backs you up and says you can do it, even though you might not think you can.”
Though several of Grey’s dreams have come true recently, he’s not done yet.
“Hopefully continuing to play soccer throughout college and staying in that national team conversation is the biggest goal,” Grey said. “Definitely if the opportunity is there to go pro for the Quakes or to go to Europe is also a big priority."
