J. Hopkins, D.C. United, Midfielder, #25: Career, Stats & Impact

When you watch Jackson Hopkins, D.C. United’s midfielder in the #25 shirt, it’s hard not to notice how calm he stays on the ball. He’s only 21, but his poise and sense of space already set him apart in a league crowded with experienced pros.

You see a young player who’s grown from a promising academy kid into a steady contributor for one of MLS’s most storied clubs.

Hopkins was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia and came up through D.C. United’s academy before signing his first-team contract in 2021. His story really shows the club’s focus on homegrown development, a path that’s becoming more common for American players.

His time with Loudoun United and those U.S. youth national team call-ups played a big role in shaping the midfielder you watch today.

If you look at his background, you’ll see how his stint at the University of Virginia helped sharpen his technical game and tactical instincts. From youth tournaments to international duty, Hopkins’s story is about ambition and steady progress.

He’s a good example of what it takes to move up in the modern American soccer system. For more on his current role and latest call-up, check out his D.C. United profile.

Player Profile and Background

Hopkins stands out as a young midfielder who brings composure, strength, and technical awareness. Jackson Hopkins mixes local roots with professional discipline and a growing leadership presence in D.C. United’s midfield.

He’s a clear example of the club’s investment in homegrown talent.

Personal History and Early Life

Jackson Paul Lee Hopkins was born on July 1, 2004, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. His journey feels like one built through steady work, not shortcuts.

He grew up watching D.C. United and eventually joined the D.C. United Academy, where he honed his skills and drew attention for his maturity.

At 17, Hopkins signed an academy contract with Loudoun United in 2021, taking his first step into the pro game. That rise led to a Homegrown Player deal with D.C. United by April 2022.

Hopkins attended the University of Virginia, balancing school with his early pro career. His background shows how early competitive training and community support create a player grounded in discipline and focus.

Physical Attributes and Playing Style

You notice Hopkins because of his 6-foot-0 frame and balanced build, which allow him to handle both endurance demands and ball control. His physical presence helps him shield possession and stay agile in tight spots.

He plays at a calm tempo, scanning before he receives the ball. Coaches call his style measured and efficient, focusing on quick decisions instead of flashy tricks.

His passing accuracy and movement off the ball make him a reliable option during transitions.

Hopkins put in the work on fitness, especially strength training after injuries, and that’s made him more durable. You can see his conditioning pay off when he’s still pressing late in matches without dropping focus.

Attribute	Description
Height	6’0″ (1.83 m)
Weight	170 lbs (77 kg)
Foot	Right
Strengths	Vision, composure, passing accuracy
Weaknesses	Aerial duels, acceleration burst

Preferred Positions and Versatility

Hopkins shows real flexibility across midfield roles. He’s mainly an attacking midfielder, but he can slot in as a central or wide midfielder if the tactics call for it.

At D.C. United, he often plays between the lines, linking defense and attack. His ability to read the game lets him support the forwards or drop deeper when the team loses possession.

His technical control and awareness help him work through tight midfield traffic. He really thrives in systems built around short passing and quick transitions.

Coaches trust him to adjust his positioning during matches—a sign of his tactical maturity. His versatility and reliability have earned him consistent minutes with D.C. United’s first team and highlight his value as a developing homegrown midfielder in MLS.

D.C. United Career

It’s interesting to watch a young midfielder earn trust by showing up game after game with consistency, leadership, and skill. Jackson Hopkins has built that reputation at D.C. United through the homegrown pathway and some key moments that mark his rise in MLS.

Homegrown Signing and Contract Details

Hopkins’s connection to D.C. United started in the club’s academy system. He grew up in Fredericksburg, Virginia, joined the D.C. United Academy, and then signed with Loudoun United in 2021.

That move gave him valuable pro experience in the USL Championship.

In April 2022, he officially joined the first team as the club’s 18th Homegrown Player. His contract showed the club’s belief in local development and his own potential.

Spotrac reports he signed a four-year deal, keeping him under club control for several seasons.

Hopkins fits into D.C. United’s long-term plan to produce homegrown talent ready for the top level. His early debut in the U.S. Open Cup against the New York Red Bulls proved the coaching staff trusted him and believed he was ready.

Shirt Number and Team Role

When you tune in to D.C. United, you’ll see Hopkins in the number 25 shirt, a number that’s become familiar in their midfield. He usually plays as a central or attacking midfielder, using his calmness and quick decisions to link defense and attack.

His role has grown each year as he’s earned more minutes and responsibility. Coaches have praised his professionalism and reliability—qualities that stand out in a squad with veterans like Christian Benteke.

Hopkins also acts as a bridge between academy grads and first-team regulars. His steady spot on the roster shows the club’s push to develop internal talent instead of just buying transfers.

Fans see him as a symbol of D.C. United’s youth pipeline and long-term vision.

Key Matches and Milestones

You can follow Hopkins’s progress through some big matches. He scored his first MLS goal against CF Montréal in August 2024, then added another against Inter Miami, where he even captained the team with Benteke out.

At 21, he became the youngest captain in club history—a clear sign of trust from coach René Weiler.

Here’s a quick look at his early pro record:

Season	Competition	Appearances	Goals	Assists	Minutes Played
2022	MLS & Cups	15	0	1	700
2023	MLS & Cups	23	0	0	1,200
2024	MLS & Cups	29	3	1	1,800
2025	MLS & Cups	12	1	0	960

His leadership moments—like captaining against Inter Miami and scoring under pressure in the U.S. Open Cup—highlight his maturity. As D.C. United keeps rebuilding, Hopkins anchors the midfield with calm and a growing sense of purpose.

Performance and Statistics

Jackson Hopkins is turning into a steady, reliable midfielder for D.C. United. He’s grown in possession control, defensive awareness, and passing accuracy, all backed by regular minutes in MLS.

Recent Season Overview

In the 2024 MLS season, Hopkins played in 17 matches for D.C. United, starting 12 and coming off the bench in 5. He logged about 960 minutes—not bad for a young player still learning the ropes.

Soccerway notes he held his spot well in midfield transitions and kept the team’s passing rhythm going.

You can see he’s improved in ball retention and decision-making under pressure. His defensive work rate went up, helping close passing lanes and win the ball back.

He didn’t score this season, but he stayed involved in the buildup and kept things ticking for the team.

Hopkins’s calm on the ball gave D.C. United some much-needed stability in close games. His ability to read the field made him a dependable option in the club’s rotation.

Career Statistics

Hopkins joined D.C. United’s first team in 2021 after moving up from the academy and spending time at the University of Virginia. Over several seasons, he’s played for both D.C. United and Loudoun United FC.

Season	Club	Competition	Matches	Starts	Minutes	Goals	Assists
2022	D.C. United	MLS	10	4	420	1	0
2023	Loudoun United FC	USL Championship	14	9	800	2	3
2024	D.C. United	MLS	17	12	960	0	1

You can check out his updated stats on FBref and FootyStats. The numbers show steady progress in match involvement and passing.

Notable Achievements

Hopkins earned early recognition as a Homegrown Player, showing D.C. United’s commitment to youth. He made his U.S. U-20 National Team debut and later joined the CONCACAF U-20 Championship roster, as listed on D.C. United’s official profile.

His leadership stood out when he captained D.C. United in select games, proving the coaches trust his maturity. It’s easy to appreciate how he balances composure with competitiveness—qualities you want in a long-term pro.

At just 21, Hopkins keeps working on his technical skills and tactical awareness. His steady performances suggest he values consistency and team play over chasing personal stats.

Development Path and Youth Experience

You can see how early choices shape a professional path. Jackson Hopkins built his foundation through steady growth, good coaching, and tough youth competition that prepared him for MLS.

His rise shows how local academies, national programs, and pro clubs are now more connected.

Academy and Youth Clubs

Hopkins grew up in Fredericksburg, Virginia and started with the Arlington Soccer Association before moving to the Virginia Development Academy. Those early clubs gave him regular minutes against top regional players and taught him to adapt under pressure.

He moved on to the D.C. United Academy, where his playmaking and discipline stood out. The club’s focus on Homegrown talent gave him access to pro-level training and mentorship from senior players.

Hopkins also got called up to the U.S. Youth National Teams, including the U-20 and Under-21 MNT squads, where he picked up valuable international experience. Facing elite competition helped sharpen his tactical understanding and mental toughness.

Youth Club	Years Active	Notable Achievements
Arlington Soccer Association	Early Youth	Regional competition experience
Virginia Development Academy	Pre-Academy	Technical and tactical development
D.C. United Academy	2019–2021	Homegrown contract pathway

Progression to Professional Soccer

Hopkins signed with D.C. United as the club’s 18th Homegrown player. He agreed to a four-year deal through 2025, with options for 2026 and 2027, as D.C. United reported.

He moved from academy prospect to first-team contributor pretty quickly, and honestly, that’s not something you see every day.

To get more regular game time, he joined Loudoun United FC on loan, D.C. United’s USL Championship affiliate.

Playing for Loudoun gave him a chance to sharpen his decision-making and stay in form during MLS breaks.

After that, Hopkins returned to D.C. United and started earning starts. He even captained the team in a few matches, according to D.C. United’s player profile.

His path really shows how smart loans and youth integration can help players move from academy soccer to the MLS stage.

International Experience and National Team Involvement

It’s been interesting to watch Jackson Hopkins go from a D.C. United prospect to someone the coaches trust on the international stage.

His steady climb through U.S. Soccer’s youth system highlights his consistency and maturity. Not everyone can adapt so well against top competition.

U.S. Under-21 Men’s National Team

Hopkins got called up to the U.S. Under-21 Men’s National Team for a November training camp in Europe.

The camp runs from November 10–18, led by head coach Michael Morris, who worked with the U-20s before.

The team trains in Vejle, Denmark before facing Denmark U-21 and Serbia U-21.

Matches are at Vejle Stadium and TSC Arena in Bačka Topola.

Hopkins joins a 20-player roster, all born after January 1, 2004. U.S. Soccer wants to strengthen national team programming after the pandemic threw things off.

This initiative backs the U.S. Way philosophy, which connects youth national teams to the senior USMNT and the future U.S. Men’s Olympic Soccer Team for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Key Facts

Detail	Information
Camp Dates	November 10–18, 2025
Head Coach	Michael Morris
Training Location	Vejle, Denmark
Matches	Denmark U-21, Serbia U-21
Philosophy	U.S. Way, linking youth to senior levels

Key International Matches

Hopkins now faces high-level competition against European teams. The U.S. plays Denmark U-21 on November 14 at Vejle Stadium.

Then, they head to Serbia for a November 18 match at TSC Arena. Both matches kick off at 6 p.m. local time.

These games really test how well players can adjust to different playing styles. Denmark brings a more structured approach, while Serbia’s game is fast and physical.

For Hopkins, managing the tempo and connecting the midfield becomes even more important.

The roster features some familiar names from MLS and overseas: Gaga Slonina (Chelsea), Diego Kochen (Barcelona), Reed Baker-Whiting (Seattle Sounders), and Niko Tsakiris (San Jose Earthquakes).

Playing with and against this group gives you a pretty good sense of where Hopkins stands for future senior-level chances.

Youth World Cup Participation

The U-21 camp builds on past FIFA Youth World Cup experiences. Several teammates—Brandan Craig, Rokas Pukstas, Darren Yapi, Brooklyn Raines, and Cole Campbell—played for the U.S. at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

That tournament helped set the stage for this age group’s progress.

Hopkins benefits from that continuity. U.S. Soccer staff use these camps to track everyone’s progress and make sure players fit the national style.

That way, when you move up from youth to senior teams, you already know what’s expected—both tactically and culturally.

Hopkins played college soccer at the University of Virginia before signing with D.C. United. Now, he’s among the group getting ready to bridge the gap between youth and full international play.

Injuries and Recovery

Jackson Hopkins has become a key part of D.C. United’s midfield, though injuries have slowed him down at times.

His recent ankle and muscle problems show how recovery can shape a young player’s path just as much as talent or luck.

Notable Injuries

Hopkins, who grew up in Fredericksburg and played for the University of Virginia, first dealt with lower-body issues late in the 2024 season.

The problem came back during preseason, leading to a right ankle injury that needed a doctor’s attention.

He picked up the injury before the 2025 MLS season started, so he missed out on some early minutes.

Reports said he had arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle after the injury.

The club said that his recovery timeline was still up in the air, but most expected him to miss the start of the season.

For a 20-year-old midfielder known for his calm play and passing, this setback arrived at a crucial moment.

Season	Injury Type	Date	Estimated Time Missed
2024	Lower-body strain	Oct 2024	2 weeks
2025	Right ankle injury	Jan 2025	Several months

You can find more details about his injury and surgery in D.C. United’s official announcement.

Surgery and Rehabilitation

Hopkins had right ankle arthroscopic surgery on January 23, 2025, after he picked up a preseason injury. Surgeons wanted to clean up joint tissue and help him get his mobility back.

That same week, his teammate Hakim Karamoko went under the knife too. It really shows how rough the preseason was for these guys.

Right after surgery, Hopkins jumped into a rehab program that worked on strength, flexibility, and careful movement. The medical staff watched him closely for swelling and stability before letting him do more.

Hopkins will probably spend a few weeks in physical therapy before trying any light training. The club said they’ll set his recovery timeline after seeing how he responds, according to D.C. United’s statement.

If things go smoothly, he might get back to full training later in the season. For a young player still developing, every rehab session feels just as important as the games themselves.