John Nelson

Youth and college

John grew up in Medina, Ohio. In 2010, he joined Internationals SC, as a member of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, in which he was a member of until 2017. While a graduate of Medina High School, Nelson did not play for the school's boys' soccer team. Upon graduating high school, Nelson attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he played college soccer for two years between 2017 and 2018, making 41 appearances, scoring 1 goal and tallying 3 assists. While in college, Nelson played in the PDL with North Carolina FC U23 and Tobacco Road FC. Nelson opted to leave college early and signed a Generation Adidas contract with MLS ahead of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft.

Professional career

On January 11, 2019, Nelson was drafted 10th overall in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, by FC Dallas. Following the 2021 season, Nelson's contract option was declined by Dallas. Nelson officially signed with FC Cincinnati on January 6, 2022, after having his rights acquired by Cincinnati in Stage 2 of the 2021 MLS Re-Entry Draft in December 2021. Nelson was selected by St. Louis City SC in the 2022 MLS Expansion draft for the club’s inaugural season in 2023. Nelson left the club in November 2023 at the end of his contract. Nelson signed with LA Galaxy on December 21, 2023 to a two year contract with a club option for the 2026 season.

Club

As of match played December 2, 2020