O’Brien: “I’m definitely not coming back”
By Jeff Carlisle · January 22, 2009
Ronnie O’Brien, who provided some of the most memorable moments of the 2008 season, won’t be rejoining the Earthquakes in 2009. Photo: John Todd, centerlinesoccer.com, isiphotos.com.
Midfielder Ronnie O’Brien told CLS on Thursday that he will not return to the San Jose Earthquakes for the 2009 season. “It’s done and dusted,” said O’Brien. “I won’t be playing in San Jose this year.”
Yallop denies McCarty link
By Jeff Carlisle · January 22, 2009
Soccer by Ives is reporting that Dallas midfielder Dax McCarty is heading to San Jose in exchange for a conditional draft pick. But a quick phone call to Frank Yallop resulted in the San Jose manager issuing a firm denial regarding the former U.S. Olympic team member.
Pre-camp thoughts (O’Brien, Garcia, Lima, and more)
By Jeff Carlisle · January 21, 2009
With training camp set to open next Monday, here’s what’s happening in Quake-land.
Post-draft thoughts + Lima news
By Jeff Carlisle · January 19, 2009
When I saw that the Quakes drafted Indiana midfielder Brad Ring with their second-round pick in last Thursday’s SuperDraft, I thought, “Good move.” Now with the news that Francisco Lima has signed with Serie C1 side Taranto, it’s looking even better.
A goose in the hall
By Jay Hipps · January 16, 2009
With both the SuperDraft and the winter solstice come and gone, and the days getting longer, it’s time for the Solar Powered Soccer Blog to come out of hibernation. The blog’s reintroduction was going to revolve around a joke about some not-very-bright people who froze to death at the drive-in because they went to see “Closed for the Winter,” but then we realized that we would have to explain what drive-ins were to our younger readers and what winter was to the native Californians, so the plan has been nixed. You will be notified in the event of a suitable replacement joke.
Meanwhile, the blog sends congratulations to former Earthquakes captain Jeff Agoos, who has been elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame, the only reason any of us have heard of Oneonta, New York. Goose won two of his five MLS Cup titles in San Jose, so there are many reasons to remember him. The first thing that comes to mind, though, is his free kick goal that set events in motion in the Quakes’ historic 5-4 aggregate win over the Galaxy in the 2003 playoffs. Agoos joins former Earthquakes and San Jose soccer luminaries such as Umberto Abronzino, Paul Child, Fernando Clavijo, Johnny Moore, and Eric Wynalda in the hall.
The other items we have for you today are all about the two newest Earthquakes, Brad Ring and Quincy Amarikwa, who were picked in yesterday’s SuperDraft. There’s a story about both players on MLSnet.com and “local boy makes good” stories about Ring in the Indiana Daily Student and MyStateLine.com and one about Amarikwa in the Bakersfield Californian.
Quakes chasing Convey
By Jeff Carlisle · January 16, 2009
Bobby Convey marks Brazil’s Dani Alves in a September, 2007 match. Photo: John Todd, centerlinesoccer.com, isiphotos.com.
The latest attempt by the San Jose Earthquakes to bolster their attack has them pursing U.S international midfielder Bobby Convey, CLS has learned. Read more…
Quakes go for the brass ring in SuperDraft
By Jay Hipps · January 15, 2009
OK, wait — that should be Brad Ring, the Indiana midfielder who the Quakes took this afternoon with their first of two picks in this year’s SuperDraft.
His resume is pretty impressive. His Indiana bio shows that he was the captain of the Hoosiers, a two-time semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy, and an NSCAA third-team All American, among other things.
A quick scan of the web also turns up this interview with Ring, in which he reveals that his favorite movie is “Troy.” More to the point, though, is this:
For people who have never seen you play, can you describe the type of player you are? What are your strengths?
I feel that I am a hard worker who will lay his heart on the line every game.
Sounds like he’s already got that Earthquakes attitude.
Ring also gets a good review from scout Joe Mauceri on his Pro Player Pipeline blog, giving him a B+ and ranking him as the 13th best player in the draft. You may recall that Mauceri ranked Shea Salinas highly last year, writing this about San Jose’s 2008 draft:
San Jose had only 1 pick. With it, they got the best wide right midfielder, Shea Salinas. He has shown the ability to get around the corner with speed and exceptional dribbling ability. He has the ability to play in the first year. 1 pick, 1 good player.
Update: The Quakes have selected Quincy Amarikwa, a forward from UC Davis, with their final pick in the SuperDraft. Among other honors, Amarikwa was named Big West Offensive Player of the Year. We’ll provide some links to info about him but first, this:
Yes, that little beauty was named Soccer America’s College Goal of the Year, and probably would have earned similar honors if it had been scored in MLS.
Here’s Amarikwa’s page on the UC Davis site and an interview from Goal.com.
The Draft: How it’s shaping up for the Quakes
By Jeff Carlisle · January 14, 2009
For those of you interested in taking a gander at my piece on ESPN breaking down each team’s draft needs, it’s up, although as fast as things move during draft week, it’s already obsolete in some respects. For a closer look at the Quakes, read on.
Yallop: Byers set to sign
By Jeff Carlisle · January 13, 2009
San Jose manager Frank Yallop confirmed to CLS today the imminent signing of Antiguan striker Peter Byers from the Montreal Impact of the USL-1.
It’s gone all quiet…
By Jeff Carlisle · January 12, 2009
Many of you are no doubt breathlessly waiting for news on who the three forwards are that John Doyle alluded to last week. Alas, I only have a smidgen of news on that topic. Read more…
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