Chatham Native Among 18 Players On Olympic Roster For U.S. Men's Soccer Team

CHATHAM, NJ — Two New Jersey natives are on a U.S. Soccer team headed to the Olympics in Paris, one of them a Chatham High School graduate who made his professional career through the New York Red Bulls academy.

On Monday, the team announced that defender John Tolkin of Chatham and midfielder Paxten Aaronson of Medford made the 18-man roster, as Team USA looks for its first Olympic gold in the men's soccer tournament.

Tolkin plays as a left back for the New York Red Bulls and was named a league all-star in 2023. Known for his ever-changing hairstyles, the 21-year-old has gone by the nickname "JMi" from childhood, which his uncle derived from his first and middle names (John Michael).

“It’s an honor and really something you can’t describe," he said in an earlier interview with NBC Sports. " I used to watch guys who would do this and wonder what that would feel like. I don’t know how to describe it but I now feel what those guys felt. To come from a really small town, I think not many people will be doing this so I feel really special, honored and grateful.”

Olympic men's soccer teams largely consist of players under 23, and can include up to three older players. The U.S. men's side has not played on this stage since 2008.

Tolkin also joins Delbarton School grad Jack Alexy of Mendham (swimming), Morristown native Nic Fink (swimming), and Mount Olive High School alumna Keturah Orji (track and field) in representing Morris County at the Paris Olympics.