Emil Jaaskelainen Delivering on Potential

Last Updated on May 3, 2025

College sports are the perfect place for US spectators to spot the next big stars. The NFL and NBA closely keep their eyes on how stars develop, and the MLS is also harvesting the top talent breaking through. Emil Jaaskelainen is an excellent example of how college sports can help career progression after signing for MLS club St. Louis City SC.

While college sports are regarded as developmental stages of athletes’ careers, they still draw massive crowds, and fans can even find betting markets on them. iGaming expert Gavin Beech provides reviews of offshore sportsbooks with markets on all the top sports, making it easier for US bettors to back the best new talents.

Emil Jaaskelainen shows how progression through college soccer can be beneficial to a career, with the 24-year-old pro joining the Long Island University soccer team, the LIU Sharks, from English side Kendal Town FC. He started his career with the former English Premier League team Blackpool (on the U18 team) before moving to Kendal Town on a free transfer in August 2020.

After 4 years and several loan moves, Jaaskelainen joined the Akron Zips in August 2024, where he enjoyed an excellent season. He started all 21 games for Akron in 2024 and scored a record-breaking 23 goals. He also chipped in with 8 assists and led the country with 6 game-winning goals. These incredible performances helped secure him a first-team all-Big East place and conference Offensive Player of the Year.

In December, he was a first-round, seventh pick for St. Louis City SC 2 in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, with the 6ft 3″ hitman signing an MLS NEXT Pro contract. April saw him move on loan to St. Louis City SC from their MLS NEXT Pro affiliate in a deal that allows players to be selected for the Open Cup, Concacaf Champions League, exhibition matches, and up to 2 regular-season MLS matches.

Jaaskelainen comes from a family with a proud soccer heritage, with his father Jussi Jaaskelainen earning 56 caps for Finland and playing 747 games in club soccer for Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic, and West Ham United in the English Premier League, as well as Mikkelin Palloilijat, Vaasan Palloseura, and ATK. He is joint third in appearances for Bolton, and this is where Emil was born.

This means that Emil Jaaskelainen is eligible to play international football for England and Finland, with the possibility of US eligibility down the road as an international student. As well as having a goalkeeping legend as a father, he also has two brothers who play soccer. Robin Jääskeläinen plays with Helsingin Palloseura while his other brother Will tends goal for Woking FC in England.

Emil’s career progression has had its twists and turns, but this latest development that could see him make his MLS debut underlines the importance of pursuing college sport scholarships in the country and how beneficial it can be to the development of young athletes. If he can train well and take any opportunities that come his way, he could follow in the footsteps of his father with a long and illustrious career.