# Jason Romero (soccer)

Jason Romero (born February 27, 1995) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a striker for NPL Victoria club Preston Lions FC.

## Early life

Romero was born in San Jose to Ignacio and Evangelina Romero where he grew up watching and playing soccer. He attended Evergreen Valley High School and played for the school's soccer team, becoming their leading goalscorer in 2011.

## Club career
### Youth and collegiate soccer

Romero started playing soccer at the De Anza Force youth academy. He committed to playing college soccer at the Yavapai College, where he went on to score 22 goals in 23 games. He continued this prolific form when he transferred to the Pima Community College for 2015, scoring 32 in 23. He transferred again for 2016, scoring twice in 11 games for the UCLA Bruins, before another transfer, this time to the Portland Pilots, where he scored three times in 15 appearances.

### FC Tucson

On April 27, 2018, Romero signed with FC Tucson among 5 other new signings. Romero helped Tucson advance to the second round of the U.S. Open Cup scoring a goal in a 2–1 win over Máquina. Romero scored again in the second round but his side eventually lost 4–2 to Las Vegas Lights.

### St George FC

Romero joined Australian club St George FC in 2018. He played in the NPL NSW 2 grand final where he scored a hattrick and eventually won the title on penalties against Mounties Wanderers.

### Sweden

On January 24, 2019, Romero signed with Swedish club Nyköpings BIS. On April 8, 2019, He made his league debut against Gefle. Romero was the clubs top goalscorer before departing mid-season, scoring 5 goals in the league and two goals in the Swedish Cup.
On July 7, 2019, Romero signed with 1st Division rivals Umeå on a 1-year deal. He made his club debut as substitute in a 2–1 win against Vasalund, coming on in the 75th minute for Isaac Boye. On October 21, 2019, Romero scored his first goal for the club against Rynninge. On November 25, 2019, it was announced that Romero's contract was not to be extended and was allowed to leave the club as a free agent.

### Return to Australia

On March 4, 2020, Romero signed with St George City as a marquee player ahead of the 2020 season. During his two years at the club, Romero helped his club go top of the league for the first time since getting promoted but due to COVID-19 the season was cancelled and no title was given.
On September 25, 2021, Romero signed with APIA Leichhardt after his impressive form with St George City. He remained prolific during the 2022 season, scoring a hat-trick against former NSL giant Sydney Olympic and helped his side defeat A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers in a 2–1 upset in the FFA Cup. At the end of the season, Romero was announced in the league's Team of the Year with APIA teammate Themba Muata-Marlow.
Romero was announced to play in the 2023 NPL NSW season for APIA. He started the season scoring 4 goals against South Sydney club Rockdale Ilinden in a 6–0 home win.

### Macarthur FC

On February 24, 2023, Romero signed with Macarthur FC as an injury replacement for star player Ulises Dávila who was recovering from a knee injury. Romero made his professional club debut on March 5, being substituted on, in a 3-2 league win against Brisbane Roar. A week after starting his first game for the club, on March 19, he scored his first professional goal against Melbourne City at the 26th minute of the match. On May 18, a statement was released that Romero and five others were released by the club after their contracts expired. In total, he made 5 appearances for Macarthur and 1 goal.

### Return to APIA

On June 21, 2023, APIA announced Romero re-signing during their mid-season transfer window.

### Return to St George City

On January 31, 2024, it was announced that Romero had departed the Leichhardt club for a return to St George City under Mirko Jurilj.

### Nusantara United

On 4 September 2024, Romero officially signed a contract with Indonesian club Nusantara United. He was brought in during the initial transfer window of the 2024–25 Liga 2 season.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played March 10, 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | Cup | Cup | Continental | Continental | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Ventura County Fusion | 2016 | USL PDL | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Myrtle Beach Mutiny | 2017 | USL PDL | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| FC Tucson | 2018 | USL PDL | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| St George FC | 2018 | NPL NSW 2 | 13 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 13 |
| St George FC | Total | Total | 13 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 13 |
| Nyköpings BIS | 2019 | Division 1 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 15 | 7 |
| Nyköpings BIS | Total | Total | 12 | 5 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 15 | 7 |
| Umeå | 2019 | Division 1 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 14 | 3 |
| Umeå | Total | Total | 13 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 14 | 3 |
| St George City | 2020 | NPL NSW 2 | 7 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 7 |
| St George City | 2021 | NPL NSW 2 | 15 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 9 |
| St George City | Total | Total | 22 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | 26 |
| APIA Leichhardt | 2021 | NPL NSW | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 |
| APIA Leichhardt | 2022 | NPL NSW | 24 | 11 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 25 | 11 |
| APIA Leichhardt | 2023 | NPL NSW | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 4 |
| APIA Leichhardt | Total | Total | 27 | 15 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 31 | 17 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 96 | 64 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 106 | 70 |
* ↑ Includes U.S. Open Cup, Swedish Cup and Australia Cup
* ↑ Appearances in the U.S. Open Cup

## Honors

St George FC
* NSW League One: 2018
Individual
* ACCAC Player of the Year: 2015
* NPL NSW Men Team of the Year: 2022