He can’t legally drive a car yet, and his soccer-playing peers are busy trying out for high school teams this summer.

But 15-year-old Cade Cowell is playing professional soccer, for Reno 1868 FC, in the United Soccer League Championship Division, one level below Major League Soccer.

Cowell is on loan to Reno from the San Jose Earthquakes. He signed with the Earthquakes in January.

Cowell became the second-youngest scorer in USL Championship history in June when he scored for Reno 1868 in a 3-2 loss at San Antonio.

Since then, he has gotten some starts for Reno and the coaching staff expects him to continue to improve as he gains experience.

Reno 1868 FC (11-4-5, in second place in the United Soccer League Western Conference) plays at Orange County on Wednesday, then returns home to Greater Nevada Field on Saturday against Colorado Switchbacks FC (7:30 p.m.)

Reno 1868 FC coach Ian Russell said Cowell has a lot of room to improve, but he already has the size, speed and agility necessary to excel in the sport.

“I always tell people, ‘When this kid is 18, he’s going to be a real handful,’” Russell said. “There’s a lot of things he still needs to learn and he’s got to work hard at doing that. He has not made it yet and I think he knows that, but let’s see how does in the next two or three years.”

Russell said once Cowell fine tunes his skills at the details, and develops consistency, there should be playing time for him with the Earthquakes.

“He has all the physical attributes, now we’ve got to slowly progress him into becoming a total footballer, “ Russell said.

Cowell, who turns 16 on Oct. 14, is soaking up all the knowledge and tricks he can from his teammates.

They tell me what I’m doing wrong, tell me what I’m doing right. They’ve been awesome,” Cowell said of his Reno 1868 teammates.

He also plays with the U-17 Quakes Academy squad.

Cowell signed with San Jose in January, joining the Quakes academy after leading the nation with 34 goals in 32 appearances for Ballistic United U-15 team.

He is ranked No. 1 on Top Drawer Soccer’s player rankings for the class of 2022.

Last summer, he earned an invitation to the United States Soccer Under-16 Boys’ National Team Training Camp.

Reno 1868 FC extended its winning streak to five games after beating LA Galaxy II, 2-1, on Saturday in Los Angeles. The streak tied a franchise record.

Reno 1868 FC Upcoming Schedule

Wednesday: at Orange County, 1 p.m.

Saturday: vs. Colorado Switchbacks FC, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 3: at Rio Grande Valley, 5:30 p.m.

Aug. 10: vs. San Antonio FC, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 16: at Phoenix Rising SC, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 31: vs. Portland Timbers 2, 7 p.m.

Jim Krajewski covers high school and youth sports for the Reno Gazette Journal. Follow him on Twitter @RGJPreps. Support his work by subscribing to RGJ.com right here.