Earthquakes, FCGP game-day press wrap

Both the Earthquakes and FC Gold Pride are looking to build on their winning ways this weekend as they head into tonight’s matches. The Quakes are aiming for their first win in Home Depot Center since the team returned in 2008 while FCGP, who will be missing Christine Sinclair and Candace Chapman due to international duty, look for their second consecutive victory as expansion side Atlanta Beat comes to Castro Valley. Read more…

That was the weekend that was

That wasn’t so bad now, was it, Earthquakes fans? (FCGP supporters, we’ll get to you in just a bit.) Read more…

Meanwhile, it’s been a busy week for FC Gold Pride

But first, a quick Earthquakes update: Sources at the team have confirmed that the Quakes have come to an agreement with forward Scott Sealy, who was with the team in the second half of the 2008 season before signing with Maccabi Tel Aviv of Israel’s first division. No word yet on how the team will comply with MLS roster requirements, but look for a player to be either traded for draft picks or waived next week. Elliott Almond has a short story on the acquisition at the Merc.

Back to FC Gold Pride. With the WPS season starting next weekend, there is a lot going on. Read more…

The best CLS Earthquakes news wrap ever written — ever!

Before we get rolling with the news wrap today, here’s a link to yesterday’s Joe Nuxoll piece about the alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs by an Earthquake. We’ve pulled the story from the main page of the site due to the threat of a lawsuit by the individual in question. To be honest, we don’t think we’ll get sued, and his attorney has said as much — reportedly, his client is just “sad and blue — really, really blue — over the whole thing.”

Which brings us to today’s soundtrack, a 70’s hit from Chris Rea.

Now that that’s out of the way, on with the show.

• • •

As I mentioned on Twitter — I’m @jayhipps — I spoke with Joe Cannon earlier this week about his own disappearance from that social networking site as well as  his reaction to the Earthquakes’ unlucky 3-0 loss to Real Salt Lake in the home opener. He explained that he has dumped his Twitter account for the time being because he saw it as a distraction and wanted to focus more on his job. He added that he still believes in this team despite the squad’s lackluster performance last week. Here’s hoping his resilient attitude is typical of his teammates or it could be a long season.

We know for certain that his attitude is not shared by Bobby Convey, who let his feelings be known via the San Jose Mercury News yesterday.  Convey, who once had a $3 million transfer to Spurs denied because he couldn’t get an English work permit, who later joined Reading but lost his starting slot to Stephen Hunt after he suffered a knee injury, whose return to playing with the English side was delayed by a medical misdiagnosis, and who says he’s been banned from the U.S. national team because of a conflict with former assistant coach Peter Nowak, told reporter Mark Emmons that “coming out at halftime (of the home opener) was the most embarrassing and disappointing thing that has ever happened in my career.”

By all accounts, Convey had a great preseason, and he was my man of the match in San Jose’s final tune-up match, against the Portland Timbers. He didn’t make much of an impression against RSL, though, and to claim that his half-time substitution was the most disappointing thing ever is ridiculous, in light of many of the hardships he’s endured.

At least the Merc story notes that the winger was leading the pack in wind sprints at training this week. Convey has great talent and could make a huge contribution to the club’s success, but he’s 26 and should be hitting his prime. The time for potential is over; it’s time for performance. And if that’s the message Convey has taken from his mid-game benching, it’s going to be good for everyone involved.

• • •

Reason Number 5,247 that Lew Wolff should Build It Now: MLS released new guidelines regarding Designated Players yesterday which should significantly increase the number of DPs in the league. Under the old guidelines, teams were limited to one DP and the first $400,000 of their salary counted against the cap. It was a big commitment — last year, that sum constituted 18% of the cap. With the new rules, teams can sign two DPs and, if they pay a fee to the league, even a third, and the cap hit has been reduced to $335,000 while overall salary budgets have increased by over $200,000. That means a DP will only consume 13 percent of the available salary cap. Plus, teams will now be permitted to use their allocation money against the salary cap hit, down to as low as $150,000. As MLS executive Todd Durbin explained, “If you sign a designated player, that player would be on your roster at $335,000, and if for example you wanted to apply $135,000 of allocation money against that slot, he would actually be on your budget at $200,000, again increasing flexibility for our teams to be able to build the rosters.”

So what does this have to do the Earthquakes new stadium? Just this: Signing a DP still means that team investor/operators will need to make a commitment to pay additional salary expenses out of their own pockets, and the teams with the greatest profit potential are going to be the ones pursuing additional designated players most aggressively. Right now, that means sides like New York, Seattle, Toronto, and Los Angeles. DPs haven’t consistently been the difference between winning and losing up until now, but this change makes it more likely that they will be in the future. And until San Jose can join the roster of haves — teams that pack crowds into their own stadiums — it’s more likely that they’ll be among the have nots.

 • • •

The Earthquakes are growing, however. Yesterday saw the official launch of the Earthquakes Youth Academy, which will field U-16 and U-18 teams this summer. The academy will tap coaching and administrative talent from Danville’s Mustang Soccer, an outfit which is run by Earthquakes GM John Doyle. Fred Wilson, Mustang’s current GM, will serve as the academy’s director of administration and travel. Carl Edwards will coach the U-18 squad while Cris Gilmore will guide the U-16s. Patrick Uriz and Joe Owen will serve as assistants.  San Jose head coach Frank Yallop and his assistants — Ian Russell, Mark Watson, and Jason Batty — will also be on hand at the team’s new training center to supervise four training sessions a week.

Tryouts for the Earthquakes Youth Academy sides will take place in April and May in five different Bay Area cities. All team-related expenses for the 44 players selected for the teams will be paid by the Earthquakes, including league matches in Seattle and Los Angeles. The teams will play a 30-game schedule from September, 2010 to July, 2011. Additional information is available here.

• • •

Finally, this just in: The Quakes are signing prodigal son striker Scott Sealy, who was with the side in the second half of 2008 but left to play in Israel at the close of that season. The acquisition will require that the team drop a player to comply with MLS roster limits.

We’ll have more on this when we can.

Earthquakes acquire goalkeeper Jon Busch

Confirming an earlier media report, Center Line Soccer has learned that the San Jose Earthquakes have acquired veteran goalkeeper Jon Busch. Read more…

Earthquakes match day: RSL edition

Growing up in Michigan, I always associated spring with opening day for the Detroit Tigers — well, that and the melting of snow, new leaves on the trees, and the re-emergence of green grass. Compared to that, the arrival of the vernal equinox to the Bay Area is much more subtle, but it’s still marked by a sporting event: the first Earthquakes match of the year.

In talking to players over recent weeks and taking in the sights at training yesterday, there are a lot of reasons to let that springtime optimism run rampant. The CBA is finished, and union rep Chris Leitch looked about 10 years younger and 10 pounds lighter now that he’s been relieved of that burden. Jason Hernandez, the best barometer for the Earthquakes last year in that he played well at times but finished the year broken, said on this week’s podcast that he’s more excited than ever to start a new season — he’s that confident in this team. Head coach Frank Yallop mentioned, too, the importance of having a team that believes in themselves and each other, and that they have that strength this year. That’s a very good sign; that kind of belief helped bring San Jose an MLS Cup in 2003.

General manager John Doyle echoed that sentiment in his praise for team owner Lew Wolff’s commitment to the club, “and not just because he’s my boss.” Doyle requested a lot of things to help the team this year and Wolff came through, increasing the team’s budget for an additional assistant coach, a strength and conditioning coach, and an assistant trainer, not to mention the immaculate new turf at Buck Shaw Stadium, the team’s pre-season trip to Spurs Lodge in London, or the new training facility currently under construction at the Airport West site which will eventually hold a beautiful new stadium. “This will be the first time the Earthquakes have ever had their own training facility,” said Doyle, “and that goes back all the way to the NASL days.”

All these changes represent a new commitment to winning. That’s why the Galaxy will be making their first visit to Buck Shaw Stadium this season. “It makes economic sense to play them in Oakland,” Doyle explained, “but there’s no advantage to us in playing them in a different stadium. We want them here, where they have to deal with the tight spaces and our fans right on top of them.”

Doyle also set out a long-term vision. “The Earthquakes Academy is starting up this year, and it will be great to say to a young, talented player that everything is paid for, to see youth teams wearing Earthquakes uniforms. ‘Frank Yallop is going to run your session today and Arturo Alvarez is going to stop by,’” he imagined. “‘Really? The guy I saw playing in the stadium Saturday?’ How great will it be to have Academy teams playing on the practice field and dreaming of someday playing in our new stadium next door?”

Pretty great, John. Pretty damn great.

• • •

There was also some signing news yesterday. Omar Jessey, a 17-year-old winger from The Gambia, has put pen to paper on his first professional contract, and he’s excited to be in San Jose. The Quakes are lucky to have him — London side Crystal Palace wanted to sign him but were unable to due to British work permit regulations. Their loss is the Earthquakes’ gain.

I had a chance to talk with Jessey at training yesterday. You can listen to it here:

(If you’d prefer video, the Quakes filmed it and put it up on YouTube.)

• • •

Jessey’s signing brings the team’s roster up to 23, one short of the 24-man limit. Doyle broke away from his press interview twice to take phone calls relating to player 24 and announced after one of them, “it’s done.” He wouldn’t say any more, but it’s a safe bet that the Quakes will be adding that last player to the roster in the near future.

Jay Hipps is Center Line Soccer’s managing editor. You can find him on Twitter at jayhipps. 

Quakes waive three players

Simon Elliott, Antonio Ribeiro, and Mike Graczyk were placed on waivers today as the Earthquakes looked to comply with MLS roster limits. Read more…

MLS, Players Union agree to new CBA
Press conference live blog

Major League Soccer and the MLS Players Association have jointly scheduled a press conference at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. The event will feature MLS Commissioner Don Garber and MLS Players Union executive director Bob Foose, as well as George Cohen, the director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. The signing of a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the league and its players is almost certain to be announced.

I’ll be live blogging the event here, on Center Line Soccer, beginning at 9:55. And now, everyone — exhale!

Read more…

Wolff issues statement on CBA negotiations

Coming just a day after AEG’s Tim Leiweke was quoted in a story about the league’s ongoing negotiations with the MLS Players Union in the L.A. Times (see my commentary here), Earthquakes owner Lew Wolff has issued a lengthy statement about the potential for a player strike. We reprint it here in full:

     We are less than two weeks from the start of Major League Soccer’s 15th season. Sadly, the players and their representatives say they will strike unless a new collective bargaining agreement is reached by the March 25 season opener.  Being a relatively new MLS owner, I truly enjoy and appreciate our players, but I believe a strike would not be in the players, fans and owners best interests.

     A strike will be a set back to the dedicated efforts of our players, coaches, management and ownership in seeking to maintain a MLS team in the Bay Area. Without labor being a cooperative partner, our plans for a new venue and expansion of our youth program will be set back for a period that certainly does not benefit the current or future players.

     I feel very close to the players and I am at a loss as to how to respond when I am told that the player’s union suggests that they are being treated unfairly. The MLS is seeking to build a strong league for all players, fans and owners. The Earthquakes and the majority of MLS teams did not generate a profit in 2009, nor do they expect to generate a profit in 2010. I believe that the profitability goal should be as much of a concern for the players and their union as it is to the owners.

     All North American sports leagues are facing financial issues due to the economy.  MLS is still a young league that is not a fully established yet. To lose the benefits that have been gained to date and to risk League stability is, in my opinion, a risk that the players and their unions need to fully consider.

     Our entry into MLS was to be part of a growing and family friendly international sport, a sport that should be able to grow and thrive in North America.  We do not support or even think about a “lock-out” and we hope that the players will not assume that a strike will be to their benefit or to the benefit of the sport we all love.

     We, along with all MLS team owners, are deeply committed to soccer. I am hopeful that the players and their representatives will carefully measure the importance of having labor peace and recognize the negatives to the sport that a work stoppage will cause.

     The collective bargaining agreement between MLS and the players union expired at the end of January 2010. I am pleased that discussions and negotiations between the players union and ownership are continuing.

     The players have focused their demands on greater freedom of movement within the league and guaranteed contracts. It is my understanding that there has been some movement toward an agreement. However, it has not been enough to guarantee that the 2010 season will begin on time.

     I am hoping that the importance of having a positive opening for all MLS teams and the security of a total season will be realized by the players. I believe both sides should continue negotiations without a strike. I cannot predict the negative impact of a strike on the players, fans or owners, but I am very confident that any stoppage will do more harm to all parties, especially the players, than any perceived benefits of a strike.

     Our Earthquakes look very promising as the season nears. A strike will, I suggest, reverse the positive growth our players and fans have developed since we reestablished our franchise in the Bay Area.

     A strike is up to the players. To assume that a strike will achieve some elements that are not being achieved by the current negotiation is a risk that I am hopeful the players and their representatives will carefully evaluate.  I know some concessions have been made, but if the adjustments are not enough for the players, a strike will not, in my estimation, be the best way to achieve whatever is desired.

San Jose City Council – Live!

The wheels of government turn slowly, especially when they move forward. It’s 8:23 pm — welcome to the San Jose City Council chambers, where the room is packed with people in blue and black, awaiting item 11.3 on the agenda: the acceptance of the final Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Earthquakes stadium and the re-zoning of the 94.8 acre Airport West site to allow for the construction of the 18,000-seat stadium. As long as the battery in my laptop continues to allow electrons to flow into ye olde circuitry, I’ll bring you both the play-by-play and the color commentary on the evening’s activity. Hit refresh for updates, which will be provided as often as events warrant.

8:27 — What timing! We have arrived at 11.3. The staff report is underway. Potential issues with noise are being addressed now; apparently, some neighbors, apparently unaware that they already live adjacent to both a major international airport and a rail line, complained about the potential sound pollution issues from a facility that would be used maybe 20 times per year. Er, wait — maybe more. AEG — yes, that AEG — has submitted a letter suggesting that a limit on the number of events to be held in the stadium is not feasible. On the bright side — that phrase will be humorous in just a second — the roof over the stands has been designed to hold in both sound and, yes, light in the stadium.

8:35 — Lew Wolff speaks briefly about the stadium. He gets a big laugh when he mentions that the only other facility like this in San Jose is Spartan Stadium, which he notes is older than he is.

8:38 — Keith Wolff has taken over the presentation and provides a brief overview of the facility. You’ve probably already seen images of the stadium, but if not, check out Center Line Soccer’s YouTube channel.  He mentions some of the key design elements: the stadium is just 20 rows from top to bottom and, rather than having luxury boxes, the stadium’s high-end seating will be in the first three rows.

8:45 — We’re into the public testimony now. Don Gagliardi, president of Soccer Silicon Valley, led off and sent a simple message: “Build it now!” The phrase was printed on handouts given to all the stadium supporters in the crowd, and the chamber was filled with people holding these signs aloft as he spoke. Gagliardi was followed by Larry Stone of the San Jose Sharks, Pat Dando of the San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Patricia Ernstrom of the San Jose Sports Authority. So far, so good.

8:50 — More speakers in support, including a representative from the baseball advocacy group. A chorus of “Kumbaya” was heard softly in the background. Yes, we really can all get along.

8:53 — John Shrader recommends the stadium — eloquently, as you would expect — but he is upstaged by Steve Beitashour, a San Jose native who just signed a developmental contract with the Quakes. Beitashour talks about watching the Quakes all his life as well as the heartbreak of watching the old team leave in 2005. I’m guessing here, but in these few moments I think he just became a fan favorite.

8:57 — The construction union guys are going now, one after the other. They are, not surprisingly, pro-stadium. The phrase “soccer stimulus package” is uttered and repeated.

8:58 — A woman from the Silicon Valley Leadership Group speaks in favor of the project and confesses a youthful crush on “number 7, Chris Dangerfield,” of the NASL Quakes. SSV board member John Jussen also mentions an NASL player as he relates the recent passing of Gabbo Gavric. “He was a hero to me growing up and I hope my kids can have heroes like him, too.”

9:00 — Mayor Chuck Reed announces that it’s bedtime for the kids and invites the children in the crowd to come up and make their statements so they can all go home. Only one young lad takes him up on the offer, but he wins a round of applause when he approaches the podium, holds up his “Build it now!” sign, and says, “Go Earthquakes!”

9:07 — The first anti-stadium speaker arrives, voicing concern that construction of the stadium will fundamentally change the character of his “quiet” neighborhood.  I believe he was serious. There are others here as well, as indicated by the smattering of applause his comments receive.

9:12 — More pro-soccer speakers, followed by another anti- who notes that the noise created by the facility could potentially keep children awake at night. He is followed by another Newhall neighborhood member who notes that he is already in proximity to the airport, Santa Clara’s baseball stadium, the university’s basketball arena, and Buck Shaw Stadium. I’m not sure that helps make his case.

9:17 — Another neighbor talks about noise and reminds the crowd that she doesn’t just live next to an airport, a rail yard, and collegiate sports facilities — she also lives near I-880.

9:20 — One of the stadium opponents finally spells out their position: They know they purchased homes next to an airport, a rail yard, a freeway, and so forth; they’re concerned about the additional noise, particularly that posed by concerts. A valid point, but one also has to wonder: If a location surrounded by these uses is not appropriate for a stadium, where is? I just don’t see the city council turning down the opportunity for this much private investment, without the use of any public funds — especially in this economy.

9:28 — More pro-stadium speakers. In fact, here comes Anthony Salciccia, a player for the NASL Quakes and now owner of Tony & Alba’s Pizza.

9:30 — Even more pro-stadium speakers, including a representative from the San Jose Unified School District and more construction guys. “Build it now!” has been widely adopted. Thanks to the clever soul who came up with that. (Yes, I’ll admit — I’m patting myself on the back. Gagliardi came up with “build it,” but I suggested adding “now.”)

9:32 — More praise for the stadium, this time from the South Bay Labor Council. If the number of speakers and the communities they represent could be counted, this hearing would have been called in favor of the stadium because of the mercy rule by now.

9:35 — Colin McCarthy, Soccer Silicon Valley’s first president, offers his opinion as an amateur expert on noise, a credential he has earned by living in a home with three children under the age of four. He explains that the stadium has been designed to contain the sound, as a way of enhancing the game atmosphere. “If any sound escapes the stadium,” he adds, “it’s the sound of joy.”

9:38 — Another Newhall neighbor offers testimony. He mentions that, in addition to the airport, trains, freeway, and existing sports facilities, the area is scheduled to be the site of a “24-hour BART maintenance yard” in the future. Hey, you know — with all these industrial uses in the area, this would be a great place for a stadium.

9:40 — We’re done with the public comment period. Councilmember Sam Liccardo is now asking the city’s staff for more information on the potential for increased noise in the area. He is told, essentially, that the additional noise that would be caused by the stadium is not statistically significant.

9:50 — Councilmember Liccardo continues his questioning. He’s making it clear that he’s considering everyone’s points and is now explaining to the assembly that staff has determined that it is not feasible to build an enclosed facility, as some of the stadium opponents have requested. Devcon Construction provided an estimate of an additional $120-$160 million to build an enclosed stadium with a full roof. He does not mention that a stadium with a roof would be an anathema to soccer fans, since it would necessitate the use of artificial turf.

9:55 — It’s still the Sam Liccardo show. The stadium would be in his district and my guess is that he will support it, but he also has to make sure that he doesn’t do anything to alienate his constituents. He has just gotten Keith Wolff to agree that any concerts would end by 11:30, thereby bringing the stadium in line with the existing airport curfew. Liccardo’s questioning ends at 9:56.

9:57 — Councilmember Nguyen earns the biggest roar of the night when she notes that it’s 86 days and 2 hours until kickoff of the 2010 World Cup.

10:05 — Councilmember Ash Kaira is asking questions now. Severe audience fatigue is beginning to set in.

10:07 — He mentions, even as he continues speaking, that he supports the motion as it stands now. Perhaps this signals his last question?

10:09 — Those of you playing the MLS Stadium Development Drinking Game will be pleased to learn that Councilmember Kaira has just uttered the phrase “60 to 90 days.” I believe the appropriate response is a shot and a Red Bull.

10:11 — He said it again. Drink up!

10:12 — One more mention of “60 to 90 days” and he’s done.

10:13 — Councilmember Nora Campos is on the clock and, after a couple quick ones, prefaces her next question by saying it will be her last. A grateful audience sighs inwardly in gratitude.

10:17 — All the council members are done and we’re on to the mayor for the big finish. He begins his comments by thanking Lew Wolff and his development partner Ed Storm, which is a good sign. But wait! City staff has some more information to convey about sound and light! Back to the mayor shortly — I hope…

10:20 — City staff is done and the vote is on. It passes unanimously!

That’s it — time to wrap up. This place is emptying out and fast, motivated no doubt by the promise of beverages at the Britannia Arms Downtown. Thanks for stopping by!

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