LOS ANGELES – Former San José State midfielder Jonathan Partida has agreed to a professional contract with the Los Angeles Force.
The Force are entering their second season in the National Independent Soccer Association, a club affiliated with USL League Two side FC Golden State Force. Partida joins Los Angeles after finishing his collegiate career as one of the top players in the modern era of Spartan soccer.
"Jonathan was a monster of a leader for us," says San José State head coach Simon Tobin. "He is without a doubt the most competitive player I have ever coached and has always trained on and off the field as a professional. This contract is fully deserved."
Partida is one of many Tobin products that have gone on to play professionally, a group that includes United States national team and Columbus Crew forward Gyasi Zardes.
The Hayward, Calif. native graduated from Newark Memorial HS prior to arriving in San José and was a member of the San Jose Earthquakes U-18 Academy team when the club was ranked No. 3 nationally for the 2014-15 season. He also competed for Midland/Odessa Soccer FC of the United Soccer League's Premier Development League in 2016.
Shining both on the pitch and in the classroom, Partida was a two-time Academic All-WAC honoree in 2016 and 2018. He was named an Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports-Scholar in 2016 and received an All-WAC Honorable Mention nod after his senior season in 2018.
Partida finished his collegiate career with three goals and eight assists while controlling the center of the pitch for SJSU, helping lead his team to back-to-back appearances in the WAC title match in his final two seasons with the Spartans.