Bates attended and played soccer at Thomas Dale High School under head coach Mark Fowler.
[1] Bates spent his youth career with Richmond Strikers before committing to the University of Virginia.
In 2011, he made 15 appearances and tallied 14 goals and four assists before suffering a season ending ACL injury.
During his college career, Bates also played for Reading United A.C. in the USL Premier Development League.
[4] Despite not earning a spot on the roster at the start of the season, Bates continued to train with the Sounders and would eventually sign with the club on April 19.