Quakes set to acquire Cunliffe from Chivas

The Quakes look set to bolster their frontline by acquiring Chivas USA attacker John Cunliffe in exchange for utility man Chris Pozniak, CLS has learned.

The deal would see San Jose acquire some badly needed frontline help while giving up a player in Pozniak who seemed surplus to requirements given the Quakes depth in defense and midfield.

Cunliffe was chosen seventh overall by Chivas in the 2007 SuperDraft, and recorded three goals and one assist in 15 matches, only five of which were starts. When injuries struck Chivas forwards Ante Razov and Maykel Galindo late last season, Cunliffe was one of the player the Goats hoped would pick up the slack, but that help didn’t materialize as they were bounced from the playoffs by Kansas City, 1-0 on aggregate. Since then, Chivas have acquired attackers Alecko Eskandarian and Atiba Harris, making Cunliffe expendable.

Cunliffe is a player who can play either in midfield or up top, and while he doesn’t have much pace, he is a player who is crafty on the ball and combines well with others.

Cunliffe has UK citizenship, making him an international player, but Pozniak was classified in the same way, meaning San Jose’s contingent of international players remains at one.

Links to video of  Cunliffe’s three MLS goals are available on MLSnet.com.