James Sneddon (soccer)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 28 November 2005 | ||
| Place of birth | Richmond, Virginia, United States | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Richmond Kickers | ||
| Number | 35 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2018–2023 | Richmond United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2023– | Richmond Kickers | 35 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of March 12, 2026 | |||
James Sneddon (born November 28, 2005) is an American professional soccer player who plays as goalkeeper for the Richmond Kickers in USL League One.
Early life and career
Sneddon was born on November 28, 2005. As a child Sneddon enjoyed kicking a ball with his brother in their backyard. Sneddon joined local soccer teams while at elementary school before signing for Richmond United.[1]
In 2017, when he was 11-years old, Marcel DeBellis (the current Richmond Kickers goalkeeper), threw his gloves at Sneddon who was in the stands. Sneddon called it "The coolest thing ever." Sneddon started in the U13 of the Richmond United academy and competed in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy in 2017.[1]
Professional career
On 20 June 2023, Sneddon signed a USL Amademy Contract to join the Richmond Kickers.[2] Although, he would not make a single appearance that season. On 13 March 2024, Sneddon signed another USL Academy Contract with the club.[3] On 29 August 2024, Sneddon made his professional debut for the Kickers in a 3–2 win against Spokane Velocity in the Jagermeister Cup where he stopped two goals in stoppage time.[4]
He made his USL League One debut in a 1–0 win against Charlotte Independence keeping his first ever clean sheet on 14 September.[5] He then started in his third straight game in a row in a 3–0 win against Lexington SC.[6] He would then make his fourth straight appearance, in a 0–0 draw against Union Omaha. After getting another clean sheet he tied the USL League One record for consecutive clean sheets in his first three starts after making his league-competition debut on September 14.[7] In the 2024 season he made 7 appearances with 6 appearances in USL League One.
On 27 January 2025, Sneddon signed his first professional contract with the Richmond Kickers for the 2025 season.[8] In the 2025 season he became a regular in Darren Sawatzky Squad playing in nearly all the USL League One games and making Pablo Jara second-choice goalkeeper and only plays cup matches. He made his debut in the 2025 season in a 4–2 win against Tormenta.[9] In that season he made 27 appearances in the league and no appeararances in the USL Cup or the U.S. Open Cup.
Starting in the 2026 season he was demoted to second-choice goalkeeper after the singing of Yann Fillion, due to his many mistakes and the club finishing in 13th place in the 2025 campaign.
References
- ^ a b Murphy, Sam (July 16, 2025). "Academy to Pro: James Sneddon". USL Academy. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
- ^ Heintschel, Nathan (June 20, 2023). "Kickers Sign Richmond United Goalkeeper James Sneddon to USL Academy Contract". Richmond Kickers.
- ^ Heintschel, Nathan (March 13, 2024). "Richmond Kickers Announce 2024 Academy Class". Richmond Kickers.
- ^ Heintschel, Nathan (March 16, 2024). "Match Recap: Kickers' Road Comeback Stifled Late in Spokane's Inaugural Home Opener; Billhardt Scores In Debut". Richmond Kickers.
- ^ McGinley, Mannion (September 14, 2026). "Match Recap: Kickers Topple Second-Place Charlotte Independence; Sneddon Earns Clean Sheet In Second-Ever Start". Richmond Kickers.
- ^ Heintschel, Nathan (September 21, 2024). "Match Recap: Kickers Earn Third Straight Victory With 3-0 win over Lexington SC". Richmond Kickers.
- ^ McGinley, Mannion (October 5, 2024). "Match Recap: Kickers Shut Out First Place Union Omaha; Earn Critical Point In Playoff Push". Richmond Kickers.
- ^ McGinley, Mannion (January 27, 2025). "James Sneddon Goes Pro". Richmond Kickers.
- ^ McGinley, Mannion (March 7, 2025). "Kickers defeat Tormenta 4-2, earn first win of USL League One 2025 Season". Richmond Kickers.