PRONUNCIATION
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2019 (Philadelphia/Bethlehem): Jones has made two appearances for the Union at central midfield this season ... recorded his first appearance of the year as a substitute at Sporting KC (March 10) ... missed the match vs. Columbus (March 23) while on international duty with the U.S. U-23s ... for Steel FC, Jones has made three appearances (three starts) at central midfield.
2018 (Philadelphia/Bethlehem): Jones made 12 regular-season appearances (three starts) at central midfield for Philadelphia. He came on as a substitute in the opener vs. New England (March 3), his season debut. He scored the game-winning goal in the Union's international friendly vs. Eintracht Frankfurt (July 14), and started his first league match of the season at Portland (August 4). He came on as a substitute in the Union's Knockout Round match at NYCFC (October 31). In the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Jones made three appearances (one start) at central midfield, recording one assist. He notched a helper on Jay Simpson's goal as part of a 5-0 Fourth Round win over Richmond (June 5). For Bethlehem Steel FC, Jones has made 14 appearances (14 starts) at central midfield, scoring four goals. He notched his first goal of the season in Steel FC's opener vs. Richmond (March 18) and converted from the spot for his second goal of the season, at Charleston (May 12). He scored his third goal of the campaign at FC Cincinnati (June 13) and was named to the USL Team of the Week (Week 14) for his efforts. He tallied his fourth of the year for Steel FC at ATL UTD 2 (July 11).
2017 (Philadelphia/Bethlehem): Jones made 12 appearances (eight starts) at central midfield during his first full season with the Union. He started the club's opening match at Vancouver (March 5), becoming the first-ever player to complete the "Path to the Pros" by appearing for the Union Academy, Bethlehem Steel FC and the first team. Over the summer, he participated in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea, playing an active role for the USA. He made two appearances (two starts) for Philadelphia in the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, scoring his first competitive goal for the Union in the Fourth Round win over Harrisburg (June 14). For Steel FC, he made 11 regular-season appearances (11 starts) at central midfield, scoring one goal, while also starting Steel FC's playoff match at Louisville (October 22).
2016 (Philadelphia/Bethlehem): Jones signed with Bethlehem Steel FC to start the 2016 campaign from the Union Academy, becoming the club’s first-ever signing. He made a total of 26 USL appearances with Steel FC, scoring five goals. On July 27, 2016, Jones signed an MLS contract with Philadelphia as a Homegrown Player.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Jones holds dual citizenship with the United States and Ghana, but began his international career with the United States U-20s, appearing in friendlies in late 2016. His debut for the team came on October 5, 2016 against Germany. After receiving clearance by FIFA to participate in official matches, he was named to the final USA squad for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, held in South Korea. He made a substitute appearance in the USA's first Group Stage match, vs. Ecuador (May 22), helping the team to a 3-3 draw. He started in the second Group Stage match, vs. Senegal (May 25), a 1-0 win. Continuing in the starting lineup for the final Group Stage match, vs. Saudi Arabia (May 28), Jones helped the USA win Group F following a 1-1 draw. He missed the Round of 16 match against New Zealand (June 1) through yellow-card accumulation, but returned to the starting lineup in the Quarterfinals vs. Venezuela (June 4).
In 2019, he received his first call-up at the U-23 level, for a camp in San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain where the team played two friendlies, vs. Egypt (March 22) and vs. the Netherlands (March 24). He started the first match and made a substitute appearance in the second.
ACQUIRED
Signed by Philadelphia Union as a Homegrown Player on July 27, 2016
Name: Derrick Jones
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 178
Born: March 3, 1997 in Bantama, Ghana
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Citizenship: United States, Ghana
Acquired: Signed by Philadelphia Union as a Homegrown Player on July 27, 2016
