Jace Kotsopoulos

Kotsopoulos first played youth soccer with Oakville SC and Dixie SC.[1] He joined Burlington SC at U13 level, playing until 2015 at the U19 level.[2][3] When he was 16, he trained with the Spanish club Real Sociedad youth academy.[1]

Kotsopoulous attended the University of Guelph playing for the men's soccer team for five years, where he set the school's all-time goal scoring record with 58 goals, beating the previous mark by nine goals.[4] In his first season, he led the team with 11 goals, being named an OUA Second Team All-Star.[5][6] In his second year, he led the OUA with 17 goals, being named to the OUA West Second Team All Star for the second year in a row, as Guelph won the OUA title and a national bronze medal.[5][7] During his third year, he missed part of the season due to a meniscus tear and missed most of his fifth and final season due to a sprained ankle.[4] In his third season, despite an injury, he was named an OUA West First Team All-Star and a U Sports Second Team All Canadian after scoring ten goals in nine games.[8][9] In his fourth year, he led the Ontario University Athletics with 15 goals in 17 games, being named the U Sports men’s soccer player of the year as well as the OUA male athlete of the year,[4] named OUA West MVP and an OUA First Team All-Star,[10] and he was also named the U Sports soccer player of the year,[11] and was nominated for the U Sports Male Athlete of the Year.[12][13][14][15] In his final season in 2019, he struggled with injuries, but returned in the quarter-finals to score two goals to help Guelph to the OUA Final Four.[16]

In 2018, Kotsopoulos played one league match for League1 Ontario side Vaughan Azzurri and scored a hat-trick.[17] He also played in three league cup matches, scoring three goals, including both of his team's goals in a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC III in the final.[18]

On November 12, 2018, Kotsopoulos was drafted 3rd overall by Forge FC in the 2018 CPL–U Sports Draft.[19] On May 16, 2019, he signed a developmental contract with Forge.[20] On June 12, 2019, Kotsopoulos made his debut as a substitute in the Canadian Championship against Cavalry FC.[21] He made his league debut as a substitute the following weekend, scoring the tying goal in a 2–1 come-from-behind win against Valour FC, which qualified Forge for the 2019 CONCACAF League, and made him one of the youngest goalscorers in league history.[22][23] In August 2019, Kotsopoulos opted to return to the University of Guelph to finish his final semester.[24] He finished the season with two goals in five substitute appearances, including an appearance in the CONCACAF League.[23][25]

On August 9, 2020, York9 announced the signing of Kotsopolous.[26][27] He made his debut on August 22 against Valour FC,[28] which was his only appearance in the short 2020 season.

On March 13, 2021, Kotsopoulos became the first ever player to sign with League1 Ontario expansion side Guelph United.[29] In his debut on July 30, he scored a hat trick against FC London.[30] He led the league in scoring in 2021 with 15 goals in the regular season,[31] and helped the team win the league championship, scoring twice in Guelph's 3-1 victory over Blue Devils FC in the championship final.[32] For the 2021 season, he was named West Division MVP, a West Division All-Star, and won the league Golden Boot.[33][34]

In October 2022, he signed with FC Berlin in the United Premier Soccer League.[35]

In January 2023, he joined Burlington SC, his former youth club, in League1 Ontario.[36]

As of August 23, 2023[37]

• Jace Kotsopoulos at Soccerway