{{short description|Canadian soccer player}} {{Infobox football biography |name = Jace Kotsopoulos |fullname = Jace Dayton Kotsopoulos |image = JaceKotsopolous (cropped).jpg |image_size = 200 |caption = Kotsopoulos in 2021 |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|12|1|mf=y}} |birth_place = Burlington, Ontario, Canada |height = 1.75 m |position = Forward |currentclub = Burlington SC |clubnumber = |youthyears1 = |youthclubs1 = Oakville SC |youthyears2 = |youthclubs2 = Dixie SC |youthyears3 = |youthclubs3 = Burlington SC |collegeyears1 = 2015–2019 |college1 = Guelph Gryphons |collegecaps1 = 61 |collegegoals1 = 58 |years1 = 2018 |clubs1 = Vaughan Azzurri |caps1 = 1 |goals1 = 3 |years2 = 2019 |clubs2 = Forge FC |caps2 = 3 |goals2 = 2 |years3 = 2020 |clubs3 = York9 FC |caps3 = 1 |goals3 = 0 |years4 = 2021–2022 |clubs4 = Guelph United |caps4 = 24 |goals4 = 20 |years5 = 2022 |clubs5 = FC Berlin |caps5 = 1 |goals5 = 0 |years6 = 2023 |clubs6 = Burlington SC |caps6 = 18 |goals6 = 6 |nationalteam1 = |nationalyears1 = |nationalcaps1 = |nationalgoals1 = |medaltemplates = |club-update = August 23, 2023 |ntupdate = }}
'''Jace Dayton Kotsopoulos''' (born December 1, 1997) is a Canadian soccer player.
==Early life== Kotsopoulos first played youth soccer with Oakville SC and Dixie SC.<ref name=force>{{Cite web|url=https://forcesoccer.ca/coaches/jace-kotsopoulos/|title=Jace Kotsopoulos profile|work=Force Academy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108013832/https://forcesoccer.ca/coaches/jace-kotsopoulos/|archive-date=November 8, 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref> He joined Burlington SC at U13 level, playing until 2015 at the U19 level.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://burlingtonsoccer.com/im-kinda-verbose/|title=Player's Spotlight – Jace Kotsopoulos|date=April 23, 2019|work=Burlington SC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://burlingtonsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/BSC-2023-Legue-1-First-Signings.pdf|title=The Boys are Back|date=January 27, 2023|work=Burlington SC}}</ref> When he was 16, he trained with the Spanish club Real Sociedad youth academy.<ref name=force />
==University career== Kotsopoulous attended the University of Guelph playing for the men's soccer team for five years, where he set the school's all-time goal scoring record with 58 goals, beating the previous mark by nine goals.<ref name=strike>{{cite web|url=https://www.guelphtoday.com/pursuit/striking-gold-guelph-uniteds-kotsopoulos-filling-the-net-4490018|title=Striking gold: Guelph United's Kotsopoulos filling the net|date=October 7, 2021|first=Rob|last=Massey|work=Guelph Today}}</ref> In his first season, he led the team with 11 goals, being named an OUA Second Team All-Star.<ref name=issuu>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/guelphgryphons/docs/2018-19_gryphfan_connected_-_digita/s/121525|title=Athlete Spotlight: Jace Kotsopolous, Men's Soccer|work=Guelph Gryphons}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gryphons.ca/news/2015/11/4/MSOC_1104151126.aspx|title=MSCR: Springer, Danielli & Kotsopoulos Named OUA West Division All-Stars|work=Guelph Gryphons|date=November 4, 2015}}</ref> In his second year, he led the OUA with 17 goals, being named to the OUA West Second Team All Star for the second year in a row, as Guelph won the OUA title and a national bronze medal.<ref name=issuu /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hamiltonnews.com/community-story/6951416-burlington-players-help-guelph-win-first-men-s-soccer-title-since-1990/|title=Burlington players help Guelph win first men's soccer title since 1990|date=November 7, 2016|work=Burlington Post}}</ref> During his third year, he missed part of the season due to a meniscus tear and missed most of his fifth and final season due to a sprained ankle.<ref name=strike /> In his third season, despite an injury, he was named an OUA West First Team All-Star and a U Sports Second Team All Canadian after scoring ten goals in nine games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gryphons.ca/news/2017/11/2/soccer-men-mscr-oua-announces-mens-soccer-all-stars.aspx|title=MSCR: OUA Announces Men's Soccer All-Stars|date=November 2, 2017|work=Guelph Gryphons}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gryphons.ca/news/2017/11/9/soccer-men-mscr-jace-kotsopoulos-named-u-sports-second-team-all-canadian.aspx?path=msoc|title=MSCR: Jace Kotsopoulos Named U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian|date=November 9, 2017|work=Guelph Gryphons}}</ref> In his fourth year, he led the Ontario University Athletics with 15 goals in 17 games, being named the U Sports men’s soccer player of the year as well as the OUA male athlete of the year,<ref name=strike /> named OUA West MVP and an OUA First Team All-Star,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gryphons.ca/news/2018/11/1/soccer-men-mscr-jace-kotsopoulos-named-oua-west-mvp-five-gryphons-named-oua-all-stars.aspx?fbclid=IwAR0WXQFwTXuVSHtwc1KWnYLWiGCG9ewRMlKlgYyrsyos9ABDIX3qxQoa604|title=MSCR: Jace Kotsopoulos Named OUA West MVP, Five Gryphons Named OUA All-Stars|date=November 1, 2018|work=Guelph Gryphons}}</ref> and he was also named the U Sports soccer player of the year,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://usports.ca/en/championships/soccer/m/news/2018/11/2046572801/major-award-winners|title=Guelph's Kotsopoulos headlines U SPORTS men's soccer major award winners|date=November 8, 2018|work=U Sports}}</ref> and was nominated for the U Sports Male Athlete of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gryphons.ca/news/2019/4/23/soccer-men-gryphons-mens-soccer-star-jace-kotsopoulos-announced-as-finalist-for-2018-19-u-sports-male-athlete-of-the-year.aspx|title=Gryphons men's soccer star Jace Kotsopoulos announced as finalist for 2018-19 U SPORTS Male Athlete of the Year|date=April 23, 2018|work=Guelph Gryphons}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mississauga.com/community-story/9333179-honours-continue-to-roll-in-for-burlington-soccer-star/|title=Honours continue to roll in for Burlington soccer star|first=Herb|last=Garbutt|work=Burlington Post|date=May 1, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/jace-kotsopoulos-award/|title=CPL-U SPORTS Draft Pick Kotsopoulos Up For U SPORTS Award|date=April 23, 2019|work=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.simcoe.com/sports-story/9348292-gryphon-soccer-star-oua-nominee-for-top-prize-in-country/|title=Gryphon soccer star OUA nominee for top prize in country|first=Cecelia|last=Carter Smith|work=Hamilton Spectator|date=May 10, 2019}}</ref> In his final season in 2019, he struggled with injuries, but returned in the quarter-finals to score two goals to help Guelph to the OUA Final Four.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gryphons.ca/news/2019/10/27/soccer-men-mscr-recap-kotsopoulos-returns-leads-gryphons-to-oua-final-four.aspx|title=MSCR Recap: Kotsopoulos Returns; Leads Gryphons to OUA Final Four|date=October 27, 2019|work=Guelph Gryphons}}</ref>
==Club career== In 2018, Kotsopoulos played one league match for League1 Ontario side Vaughan Azzurri and scored a hat-trick.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.league1ontario.com/news_article/show/934578|title=First Half Scoring Bonanza As Vaughan Beats Alliance 4-2|first=Mahdi|last=Ghaffaribarzi|date=July 16, 2018|work=League1 Ontario}}</ref> He also played in three league cup matches, scoring three goals, including both of his team's goals in a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC III in the final.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.league1ontario.com/news_article/show/939510|title=Kotsopolous Brace Earns Vaughan L1 Cup 2018 Championship Over TFC III|first=Jonathan|last=Cheng|date=August 5, 2018|work=League1 Ontario}}</ref>
On November 12, 2018, Kotsopoulos was drafted 3rd overall by Forge FC in the 2018 CPL–U Sports Draft.<ref>{{cite web |title=Forge FC nabs U SPORTS star Jace Kotsopoulos in 1st round of inaugural CPL-U SPORTS Draft |url=https://canpl.ca/video/forge-fc-nabs-u-sports-star-jace-kotsopoulos-in-1st-round-of-inaugural-cpl-u-sports-draft |publisher=Canadian Premier League |accessdate=June 16, 2019 |date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> On May 16, 2019, he signed a developmental contract with Forge.<ref name="FFC">{{cite web |title=Forge FC signs Jace Kotsopoulos to U SPORTS development contract |url=https://canpl.ca/article/forge-fc-signs-jace-kotsopoulos-to-u-sports-development-contract |publisher=Canadian Premier League |accessdate=June 16, 2019 |date=May 16, 2019}}</ref> On June 12, 2019, Kotsopoulos made his debut as a substitute in the Canadian Championship against Cavalry FC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://york9fc.canpl.ca/article/nine-stripes-snap-up-jace-kotsopoulos|title=Nine Stripes snap up Jace Kotsopoulos|date=August 9, 2020|work=York9 FC}}</ref> He made his league debut as a substitute the following weekend, scoring the tying goal in a 2–1 come-from-behind win against Valour FC, which qualified Forge for the 2019 CONCACAF League, and made him one of the youngest goalscorers in league history.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thespec.com/opinion/columnists/2019/06/19/steve-milton-burlington-s-jace-kotsopoulos-is-making-sudden-impact-on-forge-fc-fortunes.html|first=Steve|last=Milton|title=Burlington's Jace Kotsopoulos is making sudden impact on Forge FC fortunes|work=The Hamilton Spectator|date=June 19, 2019}}</ref><ref name=return>{{cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/jace-kotsopoulos-return-guelph-university/|title=Jace Kotsopoulos Returns To Guelph University|date=August 17, 2019|work=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques}}</ref> In August 2019, Kotsopoulos opted to return to the University of Guelph to finish his final semester.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bedakian |first=Armen |title=Forge's Jace Kotsopoulos returns to Guelph University |url=https://canpl.ca/article/forges-jace-kotsopoulos-returns-to-guelph-university |website=Canadian Premier League|date=16 August 2019 }}</ref> He finished the season with two goals in five substitute appearances, including an appearance in the CONCACAF League.<ref name=return/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/jace-kotsopoulos-2020/|first=John|last=Jacques|date=August 6, 2020|work=Northern Tribune|title=Jace Kotsopoulos Set To Make CPL Return}}</ref>
On August 9, 2020, York9 announced the signing of Kotsopolous.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/york9-replaces-nicholas-hamilton-with-jace-kotsopoulos-for-the-island-games|title=York9 replaces Nicholas Hamilton with Jace Kotsopoulos for The Island Games|date=August 9, 2020|work=Canadian Premier League}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/york9-fc-jace-kotsopoulos-signing/|title=Breaking: Jace Kotsopoulos Joins York9 FC|date=August 9, 2020|work=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques}}</ref> He made his debut on August 22 against Valour FC,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/island-games-york9-fc-valour-fc/|title=York9 Battles Valour To Hotly Contested Draw|date=August 22, 2021|first=John|last=Jacques|work=Northern Tribune}}</ref> which was his only appearance in the short 2020 season.
On March 13, 2021, Kotsopoulos became the first ever player to sign with League1 Ontario expansion side Guelph United.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/guelph-united-jace-kotsopoulos/|title=Guelph United Makes Inaugural Signing In Jace Kotsopoulos|date=March 14, 2021|work=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques}}</ref> In his debut on July 30, he scored a hat trick against FC London.<ref>{{cite web|first=John|last=Jacques|url=https://northerntribune.ca/league1-ontario-2021-cpl-players/|title=Canadian Premier League Athletes To Watch In League1 Ontario|date=August 1, 2021|work=Northern Tribune}}</ref> He led the league in scoring in 2021 with 15 goals in the regular season,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8334733/guelph-united-f-c-hosts-first-playoff-game-this-weekend/|title=Guelph United F.C. hosts first playoff game this weekend|first=Mike|last=Hodges|work=Global News|date=October 29, 2021}}</ref> and helped the team win the league championship, scoring twice in Guelph's 3-1 victory over Blue Devils FC in the championship final.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.league1ontario.com/news_article/show/1193040|title=Guelph United downs Blue Devils 3-1 to win 2021 L1O Men's title, qualify for CanChamp|date=November 7, 2021|first=Jonathan|last=Cheng|work=League1 Ontario}}</ref> For the 2021 season, he was named West Division MVP, a West Division All-Star, and won the league Golden Boot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.league1ontario.com/news_article/show/1199791|title=2021 L1O Men's Premier Division Awards: Guelph sweeps West; Phillip & Kotsopoulos take MVP|date=December 22, 2021|first=Marty|last=Thompson|work=League1 Ontario}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/canadian-premier-league-athletes-league1-ontario-awards-2021/|title=Six Former CPL Talents Named In League1 Ontario Awards|date=December 23, 2021|work=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques}}</ref>
In October 2022, he signed with FC Berlin in the United Premier Soccer League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.berlinfa.com/news/fc-berlin-announces-its-transfer-deadline-additions-2736116.html|title=FC Berlin announces its transfer deadline additions|date=14 October 2022|first=Gabriel|last=Almada|work=FC Berlin}}</ref>
In January 2023, he joined Burlington SC, his former youth club, in League1 Ontario.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/burlington-sc-jace-kotsopoulos/|title=Burlington SC Signs Hometown Striker Jace Kotsopoulos|date=January 27, 2023|work=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|August 23, 2023}}<ref>{{Soccerway|jace-kotsopoulos/610930}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Playoffs !colspan="2"|Domestic Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division !Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |Vaughan Azzurri |2018<ref name=2018l1o>{{cite web |title=Jace Dayton Kotsopoulos 2018 Stats|url=https://www.league1ontario.com/roster_players/25241566 |publisher=League1 Ontario}}</ref> |League1 Ontario |1||3||0||0||colspan="2"|–||3||3||colspan="2"|–||4||6 |- |Forge FC |2019 |Canadian Premier League |3||2||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||1||0||5||2 |- |York9 FC |2020 |Canadian Premier League |1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||1||0 |- |rowspan=2|Guelph United FC |2021<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.league1ontario.com/roster_players/47663023|title=Jace Kotsopoulos 2021 Stats|work=League1 Ontario}}</ref> |League1 Ontario |12||15||2||3||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||14||18 |- |2022<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.league1ontario.com/roster_players/54277876|title=Jace Kotsopoulos 2022 Stats|work=League1 Ontario}}</ref> |League1 Ontario |12||5||colspan="2"|–||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||13||5 |- |FC Berlin |2022<ref>{{cite web|url=https://premier.upsl.com/teams/fc-berlin-91973/|title=FC Berlin Stats 2022|work=United Premier Soccer League}}</ref> |United Premier Soccer League |1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||1||0 |- |Burlington SC |2023<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.league1ontario.com/roster_players/63221797|title=Jace Kotsopoulos 2023 Stats|work=League1 Ontario}}</ref> |League1 Ontario |18||6||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||19||6 |- ! colspan="3" |'''Career total''' !48!!31!!3!!3!!2!!0!!3!!3!!1!!0!!57!!37 |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Soccerway|jace-kotsopoulos/610930}}
{{2018 CPL–U Sports Draft}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kotsopoulos, Jace}} Category:1997 births Category:Living people Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Canadian men's soccer players Category:Soccer players from Burlington, Ontario Category:Canadian people of Greek descent Category:Sportspeople of Greek descent Category:Forge FC draft picks Category:Forge FC players Category:Inter Toronto FC players Category:Ontario Premier League players Category:Canadian Premier League players Category:University and college men's soccer players in Canada Category:Vaughan Azzurri players Category:Guelph United FC players Category:Burlington SC (League1 Ontario) players Category:FC Berlin (Canada/United States) players Category:United Premier Soccer League players Category:Guelph Gryphons men's soccer players Category:Oakville SC players Category:21st-century Canadian sportsmen