Earthquakes Advent Calendar Day 21: Nick Lima

Our San Jose Earthquakes advent calendar has reached December 21, the shortest day of the year, so it is only fitting that behind today’s door is one of the Quakes shortest players, Nick Lima.

Lima was the second player ever signed by the Earthquakes to a homegrown contract after a stellar defensive career at Cal. Lima grew up in the east bay in an area called Castro Valley and played for the powerful De Anza Force Soccer Club. He has been in the Earthquakes system since his teen years when he spent time with the Earthquakes academy before moving on to college. While at Cal Lima also appeared for the Quakes PDL affiliate Burlingame Dragons before eventually making it to the big club. He had an immediate impact on the pitch as he was nominated for rookie of the year and defensive player of the year his first season in the league. Last year he won the defensive player of the year award handed out by the Earthquakes.

Lima’s impact and goodwill go beyond the soccer pitch as was recently seen in his competition will fellow fullback Shea Salinas to benefit Doctors Without Borders. A great athlete and a great person, San Jose are lucky to have him on the squad.