Ismaila Jome

Ismaila "Ish" Jome (born November 4, 1994) is a Gambian former footballer who plays as a defender.

Early life and education Jome was born on November 4, 1994, in Banjul, Gambia, to Jainaba Jobe and Dodou Jome. At a young age, he relocated and was raised in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. He attended high school at Prairie Seeds Academy, where he was named the 2012 Minnesota State High School Soccer Coaches Association's "Mr. Soccer" in his senior year.

Jome attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, and was a student-athlete for the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's soccer team. He made an immediate impact in his first year where he played and started in 21 games, scored 2 goals, and added 7 assists. He was named as the 2013 Big West Conference Freshman of the Year and to the conference's first team in addition to Soccer Americas All-Freshman team. His sophomore campaign saw him appear in 18 more games, 17 of which he started, while adding a goal and 5 assists. He was once again named First Team All-Big West Conference in 2014. In 2015, Jome appeared in 16 games, starting 9, and scored 3 goals with 3 assists. He left UCSB after his junior year to pursue a professional soccer career. While in college, Jome played for Ventura County Fusion of the Premier Development League in 2014 and 2015. He also appeared for Portland Timbers U23s in 2015.

Career Minnesota United Jome signed a professional contract with Minnesota United FC announced in March 2016. He made his professional debut on July 23, 2016, as a 63rd-minute substitute against Fort Lauderdale Strikers and scored his first professional goal just seven minutes later in the 70th minute in a 3–1 victory for Minnesota.

Nashville SC

On May 22, 2018, Jome signed with USL side Nashville SC. On November 14, 2018, Nashville announced they had not re-signed Jome for the 2019 season.

Portland Timbers On April 2, 2021, Jome was signed to a one-year contract by Major League Soccer side Portland Timbers. Later that month, the club announced Jome had ruptured his Achilles tendon in training and would be out for the remainder of the year. Following the 2021 season, Portland declined their contract option on Jome.

San Antonio FC On June 21, 2023, Jome signed with USL Championship side San Antonio FC until the end of the 2023 season.

Spokane Velocity FC On June 21, 2024, Jome signed with Spokane Velocity FC for its inaugural season in the USL League One. He would leave after the 2025 season.

Honors and awards IndividualUC Santa Barbara Gauchos All-Big West Conference First Team (2): 2013, 2014 Big West Conference Freshman of the Year (1): 2013 Soccer America All-Freshman First Team (1): 2013Prairie Seeds Academy' Minnesota State High School Soccer Coaches Association's "Mr. Soccer" (1): 2012