Earthquakes move into first place
By Robert Jonas · January 31, 2010
The Earthquakes moved into first place last Friday — first place in the MLS allocation list, that is. How was that so? In order to sign defender Michael Orozco on loan from Mexican team San Luis FC, the Philadelphia Union needed to trade up in the allocation order. The top team on the list was the New York Red Bulls, who agreed to allocation money from the Union in order to trade spots on the list. Then, with that number one pick, they secured the rights to Orozco. With that transaction, San Jose moved from #2 to the top of the list.
The MLS allocation order is reset after each season, in the same manner that the MLS Super Draft order is determined. With only NYRB finishing below the Quakes in the standings, and the introduction of the expansion Union, San Jose started the offseason in the third allocation position. Players subject to the allocation process include USMNT players at any level signing with MLS, former MLS players returning to the league whose rights are not already controlled by their former clubs, and any other players determined by the MLS Competition Committee.
Twice in the last two seasons, the Earthquakes have used their position in the allocation order to sign high profile players. In 2008, Haitian forward Peguero Jean-Philippe joined the Quakes for an ill-fated and short-lived return to MLS. Last year, midfielder and World Cup 2006 veteran Bobby Convey was claimed by the team.
There has been no mention yet as to if the Earthquakes are currently interested in any player through the allocation process. However, holding the first pick in the order does not require the team to take the next available player. The Quakes can choose when they want to exercise that pick, or even swap places with another team in the order via trade.
Which USMNT players or former MLS stars might we see come to the league in the near future? Who might the Quakes be interested in signing with their number one pick? Let the speculation begin…
Hernandez, Yallop, Doyle on first CLS podcast of 2010
By Editor · January 30, 2010
Earthquakes defender Jason Hernandez has been working hard in the off-season to rehabilitate his left leg after breaking his ankle late last season. Photo: Kelley Cox, isiphotos.com.
Center Line Soccer’s podcast is back! We kick off the new year with interviews from the first day of training for the San Jose Earthquakes. Hosts Jay Hipps and Keiran Downie discuss interviews with defender Jason Hernandez, head coach Frank Yallop, and general manager John Doyle. Read more…
Departure of LA Sol from WPS leaves Gold Pride as sole West Coast team
By Jay Hipps · January 28, 2010
A frequently-heard complaint during FC Gold Pride’s inaugural season was that the team’s name didn’t designate a geographical area. With Thursday’s announcement that the Los Angeles Sol was being disbanded prior to the 2010 WPS season, what was perceived as a shortcoming may turn into an asset.
“We’re it on the West Coast for professional women’s soccer, and that’s great,” said Ilisa Kessler, FC Gold Pride general manager. “We represent more people now and we’re willing to carry that banner.” Read more…
Wondolowski pens new contract with Quakes
By Robert Jonas · January 28, 2010
Danville native Chris Wondolowski has signed a new contract with San Jose. Photo: Kelley Cox, isiphotos.com
The Earthquakes players left the field after another preseason training session at Oakland Coliseum sweating a bit despite the brisk temperature. One player in particular was also sporting a big smile as he walked over to the sideline — birthday boy Chris Wondolowski. A day after signing a new contract with the team, Wondo, as he is affectionately known by fans and teammates alike, was happy to have his status with San Jose cleared up before the start of the new season. “I love San Jose” said the Danville native. “I grew up a big fan of the Earthquakes, and I was originally drafted by them. So, I love being here, and I look forward to staying here.” Read more…
Quakes to create training field at Airport West site
By Jay Hipps · January 28, 2010
It’s not a stadium, but it’s a start. The Earthquakes will be announcing shortly the construction of a training field on the Airport West site, the property that is under option to team owner Lew Wolff for a new soccer stadium along with a large development featuring office and retail space and two hotels. Read more…
Quakes upbeat as camp opens
By Jay Hipps · January 26, 2010
Yesterday at the Oakland Coliseum, the San Jose Earthquakes opened their pre-season training camp, hoping for both a break in the weather and in the ongoing contract negotiations between the league and the MLS Players Union. The rain let up for the morning workout and we should know a lot more about the status of the talks by the end of the week — the existing collective bargaining agreement is set to expire on Sunday — but the big questions about San Jose’s new acquisitions, Eduardo and Joey Gjertsen, went unanswered. Monday morning, as it turned out, was all about fitness; nary a ball was kicked. Read more…
Report: Quakes bring Gjertsen on board
By Jeff Carlisle · January 21, 2010
According to a published report, the San Jose Earthquakes have tapped their Canadian connection once again to land former Montreal Impact midfielder Joey Gjertsen.
FC Gold Pride draft lands O’Hara, Riley
By Jay Hipps · January 15, 2010
Kelley O’Hara, FC Gold Pride’s first pick, won the MAC Hermann Award this year playing for Stanford, but she also plays for the U.S. U-23s. Photo: Omar Martinez, isiphotos.com
FC Gold Pride added attacking power, speed, and depth to the roster with their eight picks in today’s WPS draft, held in conjunction with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America meeting in Philadelphia. Two Stanford stars highlight the new additions — MAC Hermann award winner Kelley O’Hara and outside back Ali Riley — but the team also added a number of players who were both standouts in college and benefit from international experience. Read more…
Quakes put defense first at 2010 MLS SuperDraft
Doyle hints at new attackers to come
By Jay Hipps · January 14, 2010
Wake Forest defender Ike Opara (23) was San Jose’s first pick (third overall) in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. Photo: Tony Quinn, isiphotos.com
It looks as though the San Jose Earthquakes are following a simple formula in pursuing player acquisitions this winter: draft for defense, discover for attack. That’s the most obvious conclusion after reviewing the Earthquakes’ five picks in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, a group consisting of three defenders, a midfielder, and a forward. The need to put more balls in the back of opponents’ nets is not being ignored, though — San Jose GM John Doyle says that the team has been searching for attacking players in Argentina and Brazil and hopes to announce the signing of at least one player in the near future. Read more…
Final draft update: Quakes take Opara, Thomas, three more
By Jay Hipps · January 14, 2010
All done! Barring an unexpected trade, the Quakes have now taken all five of their picks in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. Read more…
