What a difference a month makes

It’s hard to believe that it’s almost exactly one month since Darren Huckerby, Francisco Lima, and Scott Sealy first joined the Earthquakes. So much has changed since then — a team made up largely of reserves stomped the Honduran Olympic team 4-0, Joe Cannon saved a PK and a point in Toronto, Huckerby scored the equalizer in his home debut against Los Toros Rojos, and the world was given its first opportunity to witness the firepower of the fully armed and operational Earthquakes on August 3 against the Galaxy. Hard to believe it’s only been 30 days — heck, Ruud Gullit and Alexi Lalas even had jobs back then.

The despair caused by the team’s early results is gone, too, and there are ample signs that everyone on Earthquakes Planet is enjoying the gift a little momentum can bring, along with the feeling that this is now a team capable of winning against any opponent in MLS. Even head coach Frank Yallop, who maintains his even-tempered demeanor almost religiously, is feeling a bit giddy — check out his performance in the opening moments of this week’s “Quake Shake Online.”

We attended this morning’s practice and it’s safe to say the team looks loose, but that doesn’t mean they look sloppy. Just the opposite, in fact — crisp passes were being delivered precisely all over the pitch and the whole team has a look of being “in tune” that they lacked in the early months of the season. The biggest change is in their mentality. Balls are played with a purpose in mind and a real intent, not just a hope that something good could possibly happen if maybe a bit of luck comes their way.  This is a team that is starting to look, in a word, dangerous. If they beat New England on Saturday, stand back — the momentum will be huge.

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- We had a chance to talk with Earthquakes assistant coach Ian Russell after practice. You can listen to our conversation here.  We also spoke with Joe Cannon today and will post a story tomorrow. Also, for those of you who are fluent en español, our own David I. Gálvez taped an interview with Ramiro Corrales today, which we’ll be posting before game time on Saturday.

- The word from Quakes GM John Doyle is that it is unlikely that Malaysian Super League hero Marlon Alex James will be able to join San Jose before the MLS transfer window closes tomorrow. James’ current side, Kedah, is on their way to what would be a second consecutive treble and the final of their current competition, the Malaysia Cup, doesn’t take place until August 24. Doyle thought it was possible that James could sign with a USL-1 team since that league’s transfer window closes on August 25, but current indications are that a potential signing of the St. Vincent and Grenadines striker by the Earthquakes would not take place until next year. In any case, Doyle confirmed that San Jose own his MLS discovery rights.

- The Washington Post’s Steven Goff reports the salaries of some MLS mid-summer signings today.  Those of you who are tracking San Jose’s salaries will be interested in hearing that Darren Huckerby is pulling down $355,000 and Francisco Lima is making $207,000. A complete list of salaries for all MLS players is available on the players union’s web site.

- Former Quake Danny Califf had a good game with his new side in Denmark, FC Midtjylland, as they defeated Manchester City 1-0 in a UEFA Cup qualifying match at the City of Manchester Stadium. Their home leg is August 28.

- The Galaxy is still working to sign former Clash winger Eddie Lewis, but Soccer by Ives reports that someone is going to have to take Carlos Ruiz off their hands first. Hmm… $460,000 for a guy who’s scored 8 goals total in the last two seasons? Good luck with that! (Despite our skepticism, Ives reports that Toronto might be interested.)