Eric Remedi ‘didn’t hesitate’ to join the San Jose Earthquakes

Eric Remedi was on the outs at Atlanta United this offseason and had some options.

He could have returned to his native Argentina, but he wanted to stay in MLS. He got his wish, after the San Jose Earthquakes traded for him this week ahead of the 2021 season.

“My objective was obviously staying in MLS,” Remedi told reporters via an interpreter Wednesday during a conference call following the trade. “Yes, there were a few clubs in Argentina that were interested in me. However, this opportunity with San Jose came up and I didn’t hesitate to take it. So I’m very excited to be here.”

Remedi has played in MLS the last two and a half seasons, and beyond simply wanting to stay in MLS, the midfielder said he was happy to join the Quakes.

“The opportunity opened up with Atlanta and thankfully San Jose gave me the opportunity to join the team, and I really like the coaching staff, I’m familiar with them, and I like their playing style and everything lined up perfectly so I’m excited and eager to start with San Jose and happy again to join this team,” Remedi said.

Remedi brings a winning track record to San Jose, a team that has not really been involved in the MLS player trade market much under general manager Jesse Fioranelli. He was on the field for Atlanta’s MLS Cup triumph in 2018 and U.S. Open Cup title win in 2019, and has experience in Concacaf Champions League.

At the same time, with Atlanta going through major changes during a rocky 2020 season, Remedi’s time appeared to be up with the club. As a result, the Quakes got the player for a pretty affordable price, at minimum just $200,000 in general allocation money not payable until 2022, that could rise to $500,000 total depending on retention and performance metrics.

One theme of San Jose’s additions this offseason is players who previously played under head coach Matias Almeyda elsewhere, with three of four signings so far having played for the Argentine in the past. Remedi is one of those players.

“He was the one that helped me in my debut back in 2015, in Banfield and where he just gave me the opportunity I believe I played eight or nine more games after that,” Remedi recounted. “But I’m familiar with his style of play and I just look to contribute defensively and offensively and his philosophy, his style of play — it fits well with with my style so I’m just looking forward to being back with him.”

So far, Remedi’s shown his game to be the definition of a rugged holding midfielder, and the player understands his role in straightforward terms.

“I just try to do the best that I can,” he said when asked to explain his game. “I look to always give solid passes and then contribute in midfield and I hope to meet everyone’s expectations and then contribute just overall.”

And while it sounds like it’s been a whirlwind for Remedi — dealing with his future, then finding out his new destination, gearing up to move cross-country, during a pandemic, and jump into preseason with a new club — he says he’s excited to get in action and do what he can, while exploring San Jose when it’s safe.

But like just about everyone, he’s also looking forward to bringing back some of the normal trappings of professional soccer and life in general.

“Yes, everything last year was very difficult,” he said. “Just very, very rough, just in general terms. However, we’re very much looking forward to seeing some things go back to normal, looking forward to having fans back in the stands, obviously, it makes a huge impact to see crowds on the field, at the stadiums, you know you’re just walking around supporting the team so I’m very excited about that. It’s a very, very difficult moment and the virus is still out there. However, we’re very optimistic and we’ve just got to keep taking care of ourselves for now.”

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