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Phoenix Rising has been active in signing MLS loan players this year with six signings on the roster at this point of the season. The latest signing Jon Bakero comes on a season long loan from Toronto FC. Here in Phoenix just ten days when he was in the starting eleven vs Colorado and was named Rising man of the match, as well as earning USL Championship Honorable Mention team of the week. an outstanding start to his time in Arizona.

Jon Bakero prepares to take the field against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks on March 30, 2019 (Aaron Blau)

Who is Jon Bakero you ask? Well Jon was born in Spain, and is the son of former Barcelona and Spain National Team player José Mari Bakero. Jon has an incredible soccer pedigree, but is here in the United States to let people know who he is. “ I love my father and am proud of the name on my jersey, but I want fans to know who Jon Bakero is.” Having grown up the son of a professional footballer, sometimes players can put more pressure on themselves to be what their fathers are. Jon Bakero seems very at ease with who he is and understands the potential he has to be a very good player at the professional level. He says “I speak to my dad almost every day, and dad stays awake till the early morning hours in Spain to watch my games live and we talk lots of soccer.”

Playing his college soccer at Wake Forest of the Atlantic Coast Conference, Bakero was a starter since his Freshman year. During the summer between Sophomore and Junior year, Jon came to Arizona to play with PDL side FC Tucson who were coached at that time by Rick Schantz. “I knew Jon was going to be a special player from the moment he arrived in Tucson. Jon’s touches were so much better then anyone his age.” Remembering his time in Tucson, Bakero said “I learned a great deal from Coach Schantz In the short time I was with him in Arizona “

Jon Bakero controls the ball in the US Open Cup match on May 15, 2019 (Aaron Blau

After returning to Wake Forest for his Junior and Senior Years, Jon went on to be named the 2017 Herman Award winner giving annually to the best men’s College soccer player. Jon played in over 88 games at Wake Forest and had 37 goals during his college career. His work helped Wake win the ACC two years in a row and he earned Conference First team honors as well as ACC men’s offensive player of the year and College Cup best XI honors.

Chosen number 5 overall in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft by the Chicago Fire, Bakero played four games in Chicago before being loaned to USL side Tulsa. He was eventually traded to Toronto FC in the summer of 2018. Rick Schantz kept in touch with his former player after their time together in Tucson, and when he heard Toronto was looking for a loan partner he spoke with Toronto Manager and Arizona Native Greg Vanney. “Greg and I go back a long way, having played together as youth in Phoenix, so once we spoke things moved along fairly quickly and we were able to get Jon here.”

Bakero signals a play to his teammates before launching a corner in the US Open Cup Phoenix Rising FC against New Mexico United (Aaron Blau)

Bakero is excited for the opportunity to be reunited with Coach Schantz. “It’s great to be in a great city and with a great club. I just hope I can help us win the USL Championship.” Coach Schantz believes Jon has “matured tremendously as a player” and is looking for Bakero to play a very important part on the team this season. If he continues to play the way he played in his first match he will make it very hard for Coach to take him off the pitch.

Rising supporters should be very excited with this signing. As we all saw against the Switchbacks, he adds a special element to the midfield. Jon instantly makes everyone on the pitch with him a better player. The players seem to have embraced Jon with open arms, this will only make Phoenix Rising a better team. This will be fun to watch.