Samuel Junqua (born November 9, 1996) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake.
Career Youth & College Junqua attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he played college soccer for four years between 2015 and 2018, making 68 appearances and tallying 3 assists. He was named to the 2018 All-Pac-12 third team.
While in college, Junqua played in the PDL with FC Golden State Force and San Francisco Glens.
Professional career On January 11, 2019, Junqua was drafted 8th overall in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft by the Houston Dynamo and was signed by the club on January 22, 2019. Junqua made his Dynamo debut on June 18, getting the start in a 3–2 loss to Minnesota United in a US Open Cup match. He made his first appearance in a continental competition and his second overall appearance with the Dynamo on July 24, coming on as a sub in a Leagues Cup match with Club America.
Junqua spent most of the 2019 season on loan with the Dynamo's USL Championship affiliate Rio Grande Valley FC. He made his first appearance for the Toros on March 16, playing the full 90 in a 2–0 loss to Fresno FC. He would go on to make 17 appearances with RGVFC in his first pro season.
