Jalen Neal

Jalen Christopher Neal (born August 24, 2003) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center-back for Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy.

Club career
Neal joined the LA Galaxy Academy in 2016, appearing in the former U.S. Soccer Development Academy system before graduating to the club's USL Championship affiliate LA Galaxy II in 2020. After making his professional debut on July 11 in a 4–0 defeat to Phoenix Rising, he would make 13 total league appearances for the club, scoring his first goal in the final match of the season against Reno 1868. Owing to his community outreach efforts, he was named the team's Humanitarian of the Year.

On January 20, 2021, Neal signed with LA Galaxy. He made his competitive debut for the club in May 2022, making a late substitute appearance in the club's U.S. Open Cup victory over California United Strikers.

International career
In November 2021, Neal was named to the United States national under-20 team for the 2021 Revelations Cup. Despite being eligible for the team ahead of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, Neal was not released by LA Galaxy and therefore did not participate in the tournament.

Neal received his maiden call up to the senior national team for the 2023 January camp. He made his debut on January 25 in a 2–1 friendly defeat to Serbia.

Neal was named to the provisional and final roster for the senior national team at the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Neal made his competitive debut against Jamaica off the bench, and then started the other two group stage matches versus Saint Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago respectively. Neal then became the youngest center back to appear for the USMNT in a knockout round match, at only 19 years, 319 days in the quarterfinal match up versus Canada. Although Neal was subbed out for a minor injury, the United States went advanced through a penalty shootout victory.

Honors
United States U20
 * CONCACAF U-20 Championship: 2022

Individual
 * CONCACAF U-20 Championship Best XI: 2022