It’s been six seasons since Columbus Crew SC fans last saw Julius James take the field for the Black & Gold at MAPFRE Stadium. Even though the defender stepped away from Major League Soccer, he didn’t stop playing the game of soccer. Since leaving MLS, James has made stops across the United Soccer League (the United States’ second division in soccer), the North American Soccer League (also a second division league) and the National Premier Soccer League (considered to be the fourth division).
The 34-year-old defender has played for a number of teams since leaving Crew SC following the 2012 season but found his way to FC Motown of the NPSL in 2018, where he anchors a defense that has conceded just five goals this year.