Professional Experience:
2019: 32 GP, 27 GS, 5 G, 4 A in 2,605 min.
Chambers re-signed with the club on January 10, 2019. He started in Steel FC's season-opening match at Birmingham (March 10), serving as team captain and helping to lead the Steel to their first win of the 2019 season. Chambers also started in the matches against North Carolina (March 16), Memphis (March 24) and Pittsburgh (March 30). He provided his first two assists of 2019 in a start at Swope Park (April 6) and then started the following match against Charleston (April 13). Chambers made a substitute appearance in the match at Charlotte (April 16) and then returned to the starting lineup in the matches against Indy (April 20) and at Loudoun (May 3). He started in the matches against Atlanta (May 12), Ottawa (May 19), Louisville (May 26) and the away match at Red Bulls II (May 31). Chambers started in the match against Nashville (June 9) and scored his first goal of 2019. He then started in the match against Saint Louis (June 15), scoring his second goal of the season and his 15th all-time for the club. He then made his 100th all-time appearance for the club (the only player to do so in the club's modern era), a start against Tampa Bay (June 22), and scored his 16th all-time goal (third of 2019) for Steel FC. With his goal against Tampa Bay, Chambers passed Cory Burke (15) as the club's all-time leading goal scorer with 16 goals. He returned to the starting lineup in the match at Pittsburgh (July 4). Chambers provided his third assist of 2019 in a substitute appearance against Red Bulls II (July 10) and then started the following matches at Louisville (July 20), Saint Louis (July 27), against Hartford (August 1) and at Nashville (August 10). He made substitute appearances against Birmingham (August 25) and Swope Park (September 1). Chambers returned to the starting lineup in the match at North Carolina (September 7), scoring his fifth goal of 2019 and becoming the only player to make 100 starts for Steel FC all-time.
2018: 29 GP, 29 GS, 5 G, 1 A in 2,575 min.
Chambers started his second full season as team captain in the home opener against Richmond (March 18), made a team-high 118 passes along with five interceptions. Followed up the performance in the club’s road debut at Tampa Bay (March 24), leading the team with 80 passes. Tallied his third consecutive start in the midfield against Nashville (March 31). Returned to the starting XI on the road at Ottawa Fury FC (May 25) after recovering from a knee sprain. Went the full 90 minutes at North Carolina FC, leading the team with 72 touches and 63 passes. Continued to start in the midfield against defending USL Cup champions Louisville City FC (June 9) and at FC Cincinnati (June 13), helping the team claim draws in both. Chambers tallied his first goal of 2018 in dramatic fashion, scoring in the final seconds against New York (June 20) to Steel FC’s unbeaten streak. Continued in the starting XI and tallied his second goal of the year at Charlotte (August 8) while leading the team to back-to-back-to-back shutouts on the road at Richmond (August 4), Charlotte (August 8) and Toronto (August 16). Chambers picked up his first assist of the season at Nashville (August 25), flicking a header to Chris Nanco that set up the opening goal. The captain bagged his 11th career goal on the road in Pittsburgh (September 7), converting from the penalty spot in the opening half. Followed up with yet another penalty kick goal against Toronto (September 22) in a clean sheet victory. Captained Steel FC to its first postseason victory at Pittsburgh (October 20), scoring a free kick equalizer in extra time and then starting off the penalty shootout with a make.
2017: 28 GP, 26 GS, 5 G, 1 A in 2,341 min.
The team captain, James Chambers helped lead the club to the USL Cup Playoffs in his second season with the club. Chambers made 28 appearances, making 26 starts, totaling 2,341 minutes, during which Chambers scored five goals and added an assist. After missing the first four matches due to a family emergency, Chambers made his 2017 debut against Cincinnati (April 29). On May 13, Chambers became the club’s all-time leader in appearances. Broke the club’s all-time starts and minutes record against Harrisburg (May 28), while also scoring his first goal of the season. Scored the game-winning goal at Saint Louis (June 11). Struck for another game-winning goal at Harrisburg (June 20). Against Pittsburgh (July 15), Chambers collected goal number four with a penalty kick conversion. Came off the bench late vs. Toronto (August 13) scoring the game-winning penalty kick. Tallied his final assist at Tampa Bay (September 30). Started in the midfield in the club’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinal at Louisville.
2016: 27 GP, 24 GS, 3 G, 4 A in 2,134 min.
James Chambers brought leadership and experience to Steel FC’s midfield in its inaugural season, earning the captain’s armband in the regular season finale against Orlando. Chambers saw the field 27 times in 24 starts. He scored three goals, while leading the squad with four assists. He led the squad in shots taken (44) and shots on target (16). Chambers joined Bethlehem Steel FC on January 29, 2016 as a free transfer.
2015: Helped lead St. Pat’s to a fourth place finish during the 2015 season, qualifying for the first round of the Europa League. Assisted the team in winning the League of Ireland Cup against Galaway United by scoring the second penalty in the final shootout (4-3 agg.). In league action, Chambers played in 32 games and scored four goals and received St. Pats’ Player of the Year honor and was named to the PFAI Team of the Year for the second time.
2014: Returned to St. Patrick’s Athletic FC of the Irish Premier Division. Chambers appeared in 25 games scoring one goal and helped the team win the 2014 FAI Cup, leading the club to Europa League qualification. St. Pats also won the Leinster Senior Cup in 2014.
2013: Returned to the Shamrock Rovers where he played and started 22 games and scored four goals in league play. Helped “The Hoops” win the League Cup and the Setanta Cup.
2012: Appeared in 26 games and scored one goal for St. Patrick’s Athletic. Played in the 2012 FAI Cup Final at the Aviva Stadium against Derry City, eventually losing 3–2 in extra time. Named to PFAI Team of the Year.
2011: Joined Hamilton Academical where he appeared in 19 games and scored two goals.
2010: Joined Shamrock Rovers where he found the back of the net six times in a 31-game campaign.
2009: Played one game for the Solihull Moors in England’s National League North before being sent to Drogheda United where he netted eight goals in 33 games.
2004-2008: Played for Shelbourne FC where he scored seven goals in 68 games. In 2006 he was loaned for a season to Waterford United where he appeared in 24 games.
Youth Experience:
1999-2004: He was part of the Shelbourne Academy in Ireland.
International Experience:
Earned a cap at every youth level for the Republic of Ireland. Under-23 debut against England in 2010. In 2007, Chambers made three appearances for the Republic of Ireland Under 21 at the Medeira tournament in Portugal. Also appeared for Ireland’s U15, U16, U17, U18 and U19’s.
Off the field interests:
Hobbies outside of soccer: Coaching, golf, anything to do with fashion
Favorite places to travel: Thailand and Dubai
Profession if not playing soccer: Head Chef
Most memorable soccer memory: winning the League Title in 2011 or facing Juventus in the Europa League.
Favorite soccer player: Paul Scholes
Growing up, I pretended to be: Bebeto
Some unique facts/stories:
1) Earned an international cap at every level of Ireland’s U-teams
2) I’ve never been to an American tailgate