Jamil Roberts (footballer, born 1998)
Jamil Roberts (born 14 June 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays for South Georgia Tormenta in USL League One. He previously played college soccer for Marshall University. Youth career. Prior to college, Roberts played in England for the Plymouth Argyle F.C. under-18 team. He also attended Ivybridge Community College. College and amateur career. In 2017, his first season, Roberts appeared in 18 matches as a freshman, and became a mainstay in the starting lineup as a freshman. As a sophomore in 2018, Roberts scored five goals in 18 appearances for the Thundering Herd . He was also named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week in early November. In 2019, Roberts played in 18 matches, scoring eight times. He was named to the All-Conference USA second team. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season was postponed to the spring, with the NCAA Tournament also to be played in the spring. Ahead of the spring season, Roberts was drafted by Sporting Kansas City 77th overall in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft. However, he decided to stay at Marshall for his senior season. In the spring 2020 season, Roberts scored 2 goals  in 13 regular season games. However, he came alive in the NCAA Tournament, scoring a goal in three straight games for Marshall (vs. Georgetown, vs. North Carolina, and vs. Indiana) to propel them to their first ever National Championship win. Whilst at college, Roberts also played in the USL League Two, appearing for West Virginia Alliance FC in 2019. Professional career. Sporting Kansas City II. Sporting Kansas City selected Roberts with the 77th overall pick in the 2021 MLS Draft. After deferring joining the organization until after his senior season at Marshall, Roberts signed with the club's USL Championship  affiliate Sporting Kansas City II on 1 July 2021. Roberts made his professional debut with the club on 10 July 2021 in a 1–0 victory over Atlanta United 2 when he subbed in during the 67th minute. He scored his first professional goal on 12 August 2021 in a 4–2 loss vs. Birmingham Legion FC. He went on to make 16 appearances and scored 2 goals for the club. Following the 2021 season, Kansas City opted to declined their contract option on Roberts. Tormenta FC. On 25 March 2022, Tormenta FC announced that it had signed Roberts for the 2022  USL League One season. Roberts made his debut for Tormenta coming on for Alex Morrell in the 69th minute of a 1–0 loss to North Carolina FC. Roberts gained his first assist for the club in a 2–0 win against Birmingham Legion in the U.S. Open Cup. Honours. College. Marshall Thundering Herd