Jackson Gilman

Jackson Gilman
Gilman with Toronto FC II in 2026
Personal information
Date of birth (2004-04-29) April 29, 2004
Place of birth Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, United States
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position Defender
Team information
Current team
Toronto FC
Number 38
Youth career
West-Mont United SA
2016–2022 Philadelphia Union
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2025 Pittsburgh Panthers 75 (2)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022 Philadelphia Union II 8 (0)
2023 Philadelphia Union UDS
2024 West Chester United SC 5 (1)
2026 Toronto FC II 6 (0)
2026Toronto FC (loan) 1 (0)
2026– Toronto FC 1 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of May 23, 2026

Jackson Gilman (born April 29, 2004) is an American soccer player who plays for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.

Early life

Gilman first played youth soccer with West-Mont United SA.[1] From 2016 to 2022, Gilman played with the Philadelphia Union Academy.[2][3]

College career

In 2022, Gilman began attending the University of Pittsburgh, where he played for the men's soccer team.[4] In September 2022, he was named the ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Week.[5] At the end of his first season he was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team, the College Soccer News First Team Freshman All-America, and the TopDrawerSoccer Freshman Best XI First Team, and the All-ACC Academic Team.[4][6][7] Ahead of his sophomore season in 2023 season, he was named team captain.[8] On September 9, 2023, he scored his first goal in a 3-0 victory over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.[9] At the end of the season he was named to the All-ACC Third team and the All-ACC Academic Team.[4] In 2024, he was named to the All-ACC Third Team and the All-South Region Second Team.[4] Over four seasons with the team from 2022 to 2025, he scored two goals and added seven assists in 75 appearances.[10]

Club career

In 2022, Gilman played with Philadelphia Union II in MLS Next Pro, making his debut on March 27, 2022, in the club's inaugural match against FC Cincinnati 2.[11]

In 2023, he played with the Philadelphia Union Development Squad in the National Premier Soccer League.[1] In 2024, he played with West Chester United SC in USL League Two.[12]

At the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, Gilman was selected in the second round (36th overall) by Toronto FC.[13][14] In February 2026, he signed a contract with the second team, Toronto FC II, in MLS Next Pro.[15] In April 2026, he signed a pair of short term loans with the Toronto FC first team in Major League Soccer.[16][17] After signing another short-term loan, he made his first team debut on May 5, 2026 in a 2026 Canadian Championship match against Atlético Ottawa.[18] On May 16, after signing another short-term loan, he made his Major League Soccer debut, starting in a match against Charlotte FC, where he had a goal disallowed by VAR.[19][20] On May 22, 2026, he signed a full MLS contract with the first team.[21]

References

  1. ^ a b Ralph, Matthew (February 20, 2026). "Schwenksville native Jackson Gilman signs with Toronto FC II". Philadelphia Soccer Now.
  2. ^ Shanholtzer, Danny (October 28, 2025). "A Panther with Philly roots: Jackson Gilman's legacy at Pitt". The Pitt News.
  3. ^ Almoney, Jillian (March 13, 2026). "Jackson Gilman's Path to the Pros". The One Team We All Agree On.
  4. ^ a b c d "Jackson Gilman Pittsburgh progile". Pittsburgh Panthers.
  5. ^ "Gilman Earns ACC Co-Defensive Player Of The Week Honors". Pittsburgh Panthers. September 13, 2022.
  6. ^ "Noel & Gilman Named To College Soccer News All-America Teams". Pittsburgh Panthers. January 5, 2023.
  7. ^ "Jacquesson & Gilman Highlight Top Drawer Soccer Postseason Awards". Pittsburgh Panthers. December 28, 2022.
  8. ^ Floyd, Griffin (August 21, 2025). "Pitt men's soccer captain Jackson Gilman ready to build on 2024". Pittsburgh Soccer Now.
  9. ^ "Pitt Opens ACC Play With 3-0 Home Drubbing Of No. 9 Wake Forest". Pittsburgh Panthers. September 9, 2023.
  10. ^ "Toronto FC happy to land Pittsburgh defender Gilman in MLS SuperDraft". TSN. December 18, 2025.
  11. ^ "Toronto FC Select Jackson Gilman in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft". Toronto FC. December 18, 2025.
  12. ^ Konigsberg, Evan (December 18, 2025). "2026 MLS SuperDraft Recap: Gilman, Jasinski among local players selected". Philadelphia Soccer Now.
  13. ^ Krysinsky, John (December 18, 2025). "Pitt defenders Jackson Gilman and Niklas Soerensen selected in MLS SuperDraft". Pittsburgh Soccer Now.
  14. ^ "Toronto FC select Pitt defender Jackson Gilman with 36th overall pick in MLS SuperDraft". Waking the Red. December 18, 2025.
  15. ^ Krysinsky, John (February 23, 2026). "Pittsburgh connections in MLS: Former Duquense F Jayden Da earns call-up to Revs, former Pitt signings include Cabral Carter with LAFC, Jackson Gilman with TFCII". Pittsburgh Soccer Now.
  16. ^ "Toronto FC sign Reid Fisher and Jackson Gilman to Short-Term Agreements". Toronto FC. April 18, 2026.
  17. ^ "Toronto FC sign Reid Fisher, Jackson Gilman and Atone Bossenberry to short-term agreements". Toronto FC. April 25, 2026.
  18. ^ "Match Recap: Toronto FC 1-3 Atlético Ottawa - Canadian Championship". Toronto FC. May 5, 2026.
  19. ^ "Match Recap: Charlotte FC 3 – 1 Toronto FC". Toronto FC. May 16, 2026.
  20. ^ Molinaro, John (May 22, 2026). "Bright prospect Jackson Gilman gives TFC boost amid injury struggles". Sportsnet.
  21. ^ "Toronto FC Sign Defender Jackson Gilman". Toronto FC. May 22, 2026.