Cade Cowell’s work ethic and mindset haven’t changed since being asked to fill a bigger role during his second season with the San Jose Earthquakes.

“I’ll always be ready when (head coach) Matias (Almeyda) calls on me,” the 16-year-old Ceres native said.

Cowell, a 5-foot-11 166-pound winger/forward, contributed off the bench twice this past week.

He helped San Jose earn one point in the Major League Soccer Western Conference Standings.

 Cowell logged 17 minutes of playing time in the second half of Sunday evening’s 0-0 tie with the Los Angeles Galaxy in the California Clasico at Earthquakes Stadium.

Cowell and San Jose bounced back after suffering a 7-1 loss to Seattle Sounders FC on Sept. 10. 

He saw 26 minutes of action versus Seattle.

Cowell has appeared in seven games during his sophomore campaign with the 11th-place Earthquakes (2-4-4).

 He’s started twice.

He’s scored one goal on six shot attempts.

“I’m very thankful to get my first start and goal out of the way,” Cowell said. “Both came earlier than expected.”

Cowell entered the record books on Aug. 29 by becoming the youngest player to start and score in team history in the Earthquakes’ 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy in Carson.

He also became the eighth-youngest goalscorer in MLS history.

Cowell gave San Jose a 2-1 lead in the 59th minute of the California Classico. 

He fired an 18-yard shot past Los Angeles goalie David Bingham and into the bottom right corner of the goal.

“My family was probably happier than I was,” Cowell said. “It was really cool. Everyone was calling me, reaching out and saying congrats.”

“It’s just one goal, one start,” he added. “I have a lot more to prove the rest of my career.”

Cowell spent close to six weeks in Florida when he played for the Earthquakes at the MLS is Back Tournament, staged July 8 to Aug. 11 in Orlando.

He contributed off the bench in two of five matches as San Jose compiled a 3-1-1 record on its way to a top-eight finish at the 24-team tournament.

The Earthquakes lost 4-1 to Minnesota United FC in the quarterfinals on Aug. 1 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Cowell brought some much-needed energy to the field during San Jose’s 5-2 triumph over Real Salt Lake in the Round of 16 Knockout Stage on July 27.

The Earthquakes were clinging to a 3-2 lead when Cowell entered the match with less than 10 minutes to play. His pressure from the left side of the pitch led to San Jose’s fourth goal, which was scored by Chris Wondolowski in the 86th minute.

Cowell and the Earthquakes placed first in Group B of the MLS is Back Tournament.

San Jose collected two wins and one draw.

The Earthquakes shut out Chicago Fire FC 2-0 on July 19 and stormed back for a 4-3 win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on July 15.

Cowell made his second MLS appearance when he entered the match as substitute late in the second half during the Earthquakes’ 0-0 tie versus 2019 league champion Seattle Sounders FC on July 10. 

The MLS is Back Tournament marked the restart of the MLS season, which was postponed for four months due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Cowell made his MLS debut on March 8.

At 16 years and 150 days old, Cade became the youngest player in club history—fifth youngest in league history—to make an appearance in a league game.

Cowell contributed at forward in the second half of the Earthquakes’ 5-2 home loss to Minnesota United FC.

“I’ve been working really hard,” he said. “Every single day, I try to get better.”

Cowell was named one of MLS’s top 50 prospects for the 2019 campaign.

He didn’t play in any regular-season league matches.

Cowell scored a goal during San Jose’s 2-1 home loss to Liga MX club Monterrey in international-friendly action.

He made his pro debut in the Earthquakes’ 1-1 tie against Pioneros de Cancun in preseason play in Mexico.