The greatest rivalry in MLS rumbles again
By Jay Hipps · July 29, 2008
If there was ever any doubt about the biggest rivalry in American soccer, it looks like it was settled today, when a 5.4 magnitude earthquake struck Los Angeles. The LA Times reports that there “were no reports of major damage or injuries,” which leads us to believe that the damage from the Earthquakes won’t occur until Sunday, from roughly 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., and it will be confined to an area sized roughly 110 yards by 72 yards in Oakland. There will be no fatalities, but we hope that personnel are standing by anyway to treat the bruised egos and crushed hopes of the Angelenos.
The big news today, however, is the arrival of another prodigal son. This time, it’s Arturo Alvarez, now in his sixth year in MLS at the ripe old age of 23. Since he left San Jose in 2005, he’s developed into a dangerous attacker. “When we drafted Alvarez, you saw flashes of what he’s doing (now) in maybe three plays a game,” Earthquakes coach Frank Yallop told Center Line Soccer’s Jeff Carlisle for a story we ran in May. “I think now he’s doing it for 90 minutes. I think he’s worked out what it takes to do well in this league. He plays simple when he needs to, but when he needs that bit of magic, he has it. He’s dangerous. I think he was excellent last year for Dallas — if not their best player, one of them.”
Alvarez had a breakout year in 2007, as you can see on this highlight reel that FC Dallas put together. (Special bonus: a soundtrack from The Hives.)
As for the trade itself, we’ve been told that it came together quickly on Monday and was not on the table when Kei Kamara was dealt to Houston last Thursday. That trade, which gave the Quakes additional allocation money as well as Houston’s first round pick in the 2009 SuperDraft, supplied the Quakes with the additional flexibility they needed to land Alvarez.
Alvarez has been listed as a forward on the Earthquakes’ roster, so it looks like Yallop’s intention is to play him up top. He told CLS in May that being closer to goal helps the youngster, noting “his assets are around the goal.” However, considering Yallop’s recent interest in trying out a 4-3-3, there’s no telling exactly where he may end up on the field when the Earthquakes hit Oakland on Sunday.
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In other news, it may be the end of the line for former Earthquakes great Ronald Cerritos. San Jose’s all-time leading scorer, now 33, was released by Real Maryland FC (yes, even Maryland has royalty now), a USL-2 team.
Hah. Clever intro.
Looking forward to seeing Alvarez up front making things happen. Should add another bit of creative upredictability for our team. Any idea when he’ll be flying in?
Not sure of his exact travel plans, but I believe his first practice with the team will be Friday.
I’m excited to see Alvarez back. Was it Yallop or Dominic that let him go in the first instance? Yallop, in any event, seems excited about his progress and abilities. I won’t forget his first game in SJ, at Spartan when he was on for only five minutes and did a mazy run beating like 5 players. Hope he does well.
Colin, Alvarez was traded in January, 2005, so it was under Kinnear’s watch. The Quakes traded Alvarez, Mulrooney, and the sixth and 29th overall draft picks for Brad Davis, the fourth overall draft pick, and an allocation, then used the fourth pick on Danny O’Rourke.