High school Jaqua is a graduate of
South Eugene High School, where he led his team to two Midwestern League titles and one co-championship with North Bend in 1996. South Eugene lost to South Medford High School in the Oregon Class 4A state title in 1998. He was named a Parade All-American twice and named Oregon 4A Player of the Year twice.
College Jaqua played
college soccer at the
University of Portland from 2000 to 2002. He totaled 29 goals and 22 assists in his three years there was named West Coast Conference freshman of the year.
Professional After his 2002 season, Jaqua signed a
Project-40 contract with
Major League Soccer and entered the
2003 MLS SuperDraft, where he was selected third overall by
Chicago Fire. Although Jaqua was expected to fill the hole in the Fire's lineup left by
Josh Wolff,
Damani Ralph quickly took that position, and Jaqua was relegated to a reserve role, starting only five games, scoring two goals and two assists. Although Jaqua remained blocked at forward by Ralph and
Ante Razov in the 2004 season,
DaMarcus Beasley's departure to
PSV Eindhoven left an open spot in the Fire midfield, which Jaqua soon took. He finished the season having started 21 games for the team, while scoring four goals and two assists. Thereafter, Jaqua continued to be used as an outside midfielder from time to time, however the majority of his appearances came as a forward. Jaqua was chosen to participate in the
2006 MLS All-Star Game, taking on
Chelsea F.C. in an exhibition match at the Fire's home field,
Toyota Park. Jaqua played well in the event, which the MLS side won in shocking fashion, 1–0. After the 2006 season, Jaqua was not protected by Chicago in the
2006 MLS Expansion Draft. Expansion side
Toronto FC selected Jaqua in the November 17, 2006, draft but weeks later traded him to
Los Angeles Galaxy in exchange for a partial player allocation. On July 2, 2007, Los Angeles traded Jaqua to
Houston Dynamo in exchange for
Kelly Gray and a second-round pick in the
2008 MLS SuperDraft. He signed with
Austrian side
SC Rheindorf Altach on January 28, 2008, but was released despite performing well with the club. On July 13, 2008, he re-signed with
Houston Dynamo. However, on November 26 of that year, he was selected by
Seattle Sounders FC in the first round of the
2008 MLS Expansion Draft. Jaqua stayed with Seattle through the 2011 season. At season's end, the club declined his 2012 contract option and he entered the
2011 MLS Re-Entry Draft. Jaqua was selected by
New England Revolution in stage two of the draft on December 12, 2011. He was offered a contract but did not sign with New England.
International Jaqua has played for the U-18, U-20, and U-23
United States national teams. He got his first cap for the senior team on January 29, 2006, against
Norway and nearly scored in the U.S. victory. ==Honors==