Stanford men’s soccer fans are used to seeing Adam Jahn’s name on the scoresheet. A product of Jesuit High School in Sacramento, Calif., Jahn ’13 found the back of the net 13 times in 2012 to lead the Cardinal and the Pac-12. But what really piqued the interest of several MLS teams was the combination of Jahn’s 6-foot-3 frame with his delicate touch and deft skill on the ball.
After being passed over in the MLS’ SuperDraft, the San Jose Earthquakes liked enough of what they saw to draft Jahn in the Supplemental Draft. A strong preseason and injuries to several Quakes attackers gave Jahn a window of opening through which he climbed nimbly onto the first team roster.
Coming on in the 66th minute of San Jose’s marquee matchup against the New York Red Bulls on ESPN2 on Sunday night, Jahn endeared himself to the Earthquakes faithful, as well as coach Frank Yallop, with a late equalizing strike that is a finalist for MLS Goal of the Week. Not bad for someone who didn’t have a bio in the game notes.
“It’s unreal,” Jahn said after the game. “I can’t really describe it. I’m in shock right now.”
His lunging, sliding volley met Sam Cronin’s cross at the back post and flew just under the crossbar.
“Before I went in, our coaching staff told me, ‘Just get in the box, fight for balls,’” Jahn said. “So I just went back into the thick of things. And I noticed a lot of people were making good runs near post, so I just peeled around to the back. Sam Cronin played a beautiful ball and I was just there to tap it in.”
Just minutes later, Jahn, a three-time All-Pac-12 Second Team selection and 2012 First Team pick on the Farm, rose to meet another cross and earned what would turn into the game’s decisive penalty kick when his flick was handled by the Red Bulls in the box. A native of El Macero, Calif., Jahn certainly is no stranger to highlight-reel finishes–his chested half-volley last season was certainly up there with the best in the Pac-12 campaign and he notched his first collegiate hat trick in his last collegiate action at California.
But even he was at a loss for words when asked whether he he could remember a goal as special as this his first professional goal.
“Not quite that awesome,” Jahn admitted. “That was pretty special.”
Find the full game recap on www.sjearthquakes.com