Hello Everyone, and welcome to the 6th volume of Weekly Write.

Weekly Write is a twice-a-month STL or National sports article by me, 

Charlie Bilyeu. 

This Week I’m writing about St. Louis City SC Midfielder Aziel Jackson.

Early Days

Aziel (AZ) Christopher Jackson (uh-zee-ul) was born in New York City on Oct. 25, 2001. Soccer and music were his first loves. The love of music in the Jackson family isn’t limited to Aziel, his father is jazz drummer Ali Jackson Jr. 

His grandfather was famous jazz bassist Ali Jackson Sr. Jackson loved soccer as soon as he could open his eyes. As he got older he took a liking to the piano and found balance between the two opposites in his life. One of those talents started to pay dividends when Aziel was 14. 

Aziel trained with multiple Major League Soccer (MLS) Clubs and made the New York Red Bulls youth team in 2014. Jackson polished his skills and at age 18, he and his family moved to France so Jackson could play on the Youth Squad for the French Football Club Toulouse. 

Aziel kept rising through the ranks of professional soccer and in April 2021 Jackson signed a contract with a top MLS team at the time, Minnesota United FC. Aziel would play only one season with Minnesota before being loaned out to North Carolina FC. After playing for a plethora of teams in the past, Jackson signed with STL City SC in late 2022. 

The achievements Jackson has reached are more than enough to justify his spot as an elite soccer player in the making. However, he recently one-upped himself when just three months ago on Jan. 8, Jackson was selected to the United States Men’s National Team ahead of the upcoming Copa America this summer.

Play Style

Jackson has speed like no other. There are few midfielders with the pace of play that Jackson plays with. Aziel is the type of player to play with his heart on his sleeve and his shots in the goal. 

Last season Jackson only amassed four assists and one goal for City SC, a little underwhelming for the star signing. Truth be told he is still developing as a player. He has the skills to dribble in traffic and truck his way through the defense while creating chances to score. Over his first two games this season with City SC he has proven that he plays at 100% every second he’s on the pitch. 

What’s In Store

I don’t see a soccer world where Aziel Jackson isn’t an important piece on the pitch for any team he’s on. He’s only 22 and is just now entering the prime years of his soccer career. The key to his future success is if he can improve his passing and polish his defense there’s no doubt he can and will succeed in the MLS and whatever path his soccer career takes.