It has been a long, winding road for Benji Joya, once considered one of the USA’s top soccer talents, to sign with the Oakland Roots.

Having played in top professional leagues in Mexico and the United States, the former U.S. U-20 captain will be a focal point for the new Oakland soccer team that starts play this August in the inaugural NPSL Founders Cup.

“Some may be surprised by this move. I am not,” Joya wrote in a blog post announcing his decision. “This is exactly where I want to be, and where I need to be. I look at this new opportunity with Oakland Roots as a rebirth for myself, and a chance to do something special with a club that is only just beginning.”

A Bay Area native from San Jose, Joya developed as a youth soccer player playing for De Anza Force of the USSF Development Academy. “Some days I would only get a few hours of sleep,” he wrote. “But I always remained motivated and believed that the hard work would pay off. I always felt that I had to repay what my parents gave to me because they always pushed me to be better and made sure I was on the best teams to give me a chance to reach my dreams.”

In 2011, his effort paid off when Mexico soccer powerhouse Santos Laguna signed him as an eighteen-year-old. In 2012, Joya made his first appearance for the Liga MX team.

Joya also was part of the US Men’s Soccer youth teams. He was the captain of the US Men’s U-20’s that finished second in the 2013 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. Later that year Joya played for the USA in the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

In 2014, Santos loaned him out to the Chicago Fire. Joya scored within a minute after entering the game as a substitute in his debut match for the MLS side.

That moment was, unfortunately, the highlight of the MLS career for the midfielder who played twelve matches for Chicago. After his loan ended, he played for Mexico club Necaxa in 2015. In 2016 he was signed by Sporting Kansas City but was released before the start of the season.

Since then Joya has bounced around. Last year he joined third-division Mexican side Irapuato and then made several appearances for the American fourth division side UPSL Oakland Stompers to stay match fit while looking for new opportunities.

Roots Technical Consultant Eric Yamamoto, who coached Joya at De Anza Force, recruited him to join the team. Wearing number 10 on his back, Joya understands he will be an integral component for the Roots to succeed on the pitch. “This is an iconic number in soccer, one that carries a lot of responsibility and leadership,” Joya explained. “Just as I have chosen Oakland Roots, I have chosen to take a new level of responsibility in wearing the 10.”

“After seven years away from my family and my community, I have decided it’s time to come home,” Joya continued, noting he’s excited to be finally be playing for a pro team in front of his friends and family. “I am ready for this.”

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Douglas Zimmerman covers the “beautiful game” in the Bay Area and around the world. He recently released a photo book documenting the fans of the World Cup that he started in 2002.

Follow on Twitter: @zimpix