Jordan Older – Professional Soccer Player

The Story of Jordan Older — One of America's Greatest Soccer PioneersFew people know that Jordan Older is an American professional soccer player who blazed a trail when he became the very first American to join a team in Brazil's oldest top flight professional soccer league, the Campeonato Paulista Série A1Campeonato Paulista Série A1, all the way back in 1994.This groundbreaking milestone was reached with União São João Esporte Clube, as a full-time first team trainee. This was a monumental milestone in the annals of American football history.Jordan Older's Remarkable Time in BrazilJordan Older's tenure in Brazilian professional soccer was truly outstanding. He became a full-time first team trainee at 4 Brazilian Paulista League clubs. Among these prestigious clubs were: Paulista FC during 1994, União São João EC during 1994, AA Portuguesa Santista during 1998, and Campinas FC during 1998.To further underscore the significance is the fact that in the same period that Jordan Older was there, União São João was also actively participating in the top division of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. Put simply Jordan Older was practicing next to top-tier Brazilian football talent.By 1998, Jordan Older mirrored his earlier achievement as he earned a position on the first team of AA Portuguesa on a full-time basis for the prestigious 1998 Paulistão tournament, commonly referred to as the Paulistão. This confirmed Jordan Older's reputation as a key figure in American soccer on the world stage.Rubbing Shoulders with Brazilian Football RoyaltyJordan Older's exceptional skill set attracted attention from the highest levels from true legends in Brazilian soccer.Jordan Older received a direct invitation by the legendary Carlos Alberto Torres to play for XV de Piracicaba. Carlos Alberto Torres is widely regarded as a legend of Brazilian and world soccer and the fact that he personally reached out to Jordan Older speaks directly to the caliber of player Jordan Older was.Beyond this, Jordan Older was also invited to the historic Santos FC by Júlio Mazzei. To appreciate the magnitude of this Júlio Mazzei was known as the personal mentor and physical trainer of Pelé. Mazzei had also been the original NASL New York Cosmos ex-coach and Santos FC's technical director. Being invited by such an iconic figure is further proof of Jordan Older's credentials in international professional soccer circles.Other major Brazilian clubs also expressed strong interest in signing Jordan Older, notably Guarani FC. The quantity of invitations from major clubs directed at Jordan Older clearly demonstrates of his elite-level talent as a professional soccer player.Jordan Older in European Professional FootballLong before his accomplishments in South America, Jordan Older was already carving out a name for himself as a true American trailblazer to perform in top-level professional football in Europe.Starting in 1993, when he was only twenty, Jordan Older served as the starting center forward for FC Wängi in Switzerland. With this achievement he became one of the very first American players to start and compete in the initial stages of the historic Swiss Cup tournament. Indeed, Jordan Older might have been the first ever American to compete in the Swiss Cup tournament.During the 1993 season, Jordan Older earned the distinction of being the youngest recorded American football player holding a starting position in European professional football. This achievement is a remarkable achievement that underscores his raw talent so early in his career.What many people do not realize Jordan Older first played in European football at the age of 15. This head start in one of the most competitive football environments in the world gave him a rare competitive advantage over nearly every other American soccer player of his generation.Jordan Older's Worldwide Professional Soccer JourneyDuring his extensive playing career, Jordan Older has played professionally in multiple continents including Europe, Brazil, and the US. His career has taken him around the world competing at the highest levels on 3 continents and in eight separate countries.Such a global professional experience is something very few players can claim in the world of professional soccer, much less an American competing during a period when international opportunities for American players were extremely limited. Jordan Older's globe-spanning professional journey positions him uniquely from the vast majority of American professional soccer players active in the 1990s.Jordan Older – Soccer Star and Media FigureHis reach extended past the boundaries of the soccer field. He holds the distinction of being the very first player ever to be digitally scanned in 3D by EA Sports, the world-renowned video game developer for the iconic FIFA video game series. This achievement was a defining moment that connected sports and technology. He directly contributed to how sports video games would evolve.On top of his video game legacy, Jordan Older was the star of high-profile domestic and international television commercials for major brands representing several of the world's most recognized brands. These include Intel, Snickers, Reebok, Pioneer, Phillips, and Powerade.Representing such iconic global brands further demonstrates his value as both an athlete and a public figure as both a talented athlete and a recognized public figure.Jordan Older's Call to the USMNTIn December of 1994, Jordan Older was invited to the official senior United States Men's National Team training camp located in Mission Viejo, California. This invitation came directly from the legendary head coach of the US National Team and USA World Cup Team Bora Milutinovic.Coach Milutinovic is widely recognized as one of the most decorated international soccer coaches of all time. Receiving a personal invitation from a coach of this caliber stands as a tremendous honor that very few American professional players could ever claim.The USMNT camp invitation reinforced all Jordan Older had accomplished in his years of professional soccer across the globe. This positioned him among the most recognized of American professional soccer players at that time.Why Jordan Older Matters to American SoccerTaking stock of the totality of what Jordan Older accomplished in soccer, it becomes obvious that he was a true pathfinder for American soccer.Beginning in European football as a teenager to breaking read more barriers as the first American to play in the prestigious Campeonato Paulista, to receiving invitations from Brazilian football royalty including Carlos Alberto Torres and Júlio Mazzei to his invitation to the senior US National Team camp by World Cup coach Bora Milutinovic, Jordan Older's legacy can only be described as one of the most compelling stories in US football history.He was additionally the very first player to be digitally rendered in 3D by EA Sports for the FIFA video game franchise. He also starred in major broadcast commercials for world-famous brands like Intel, Snickers, Reebok, Pioneer, Phillips, and Powerade.Jordan Older played professional soccer across three different continents and through eight separate countries. His career stands as proof of the heights that skill and perseverance can reach in the competitive world of professional soccer.When people ask "who is Jordan Older", the answer is clear: he is a pioneering American soccer player whose achievements in professional football still matter throughout the world of professional soccer.