San Jose Earthquakes loan Gilbert Fuentes, Casey Walls to Austin Bold

The San Jose Earthquakes announced on Monday they have loaned midfielder Gilbert Fuentes and defender Casey Walls to USL Championship side Austin Bold FC for the 2021 season.

Fuentes, 19, has made three MLS appearances for the Quakes since signing a professional contract ahead of the 2015 season. Walls, 18, has yet to play a professional game since signing his contract with San Jose before the 2020 campaign.

“Gilbert and Casey are both very talented young players that possess a lot of quality with bright futures ahead of them. They’re not here just to add depth. They’re here to battle for a starting spot and that competitiveness will only make the entire squad better,” said Austin Bold FC head coach Marcelo Serrano in an Austin team statement. “We’ve shown in our short time that we have the ability to develop young talent and having San Jose Earthquakes trust us with two promising players is proof of that. A special thanks to Earthquakes General Manager Jesse Fioranelli for being so honest and truthful within the process and Bruno Costa for scouting these players and working together with us.”

With San Jose’s former USL Championship affiliate, Reno 1868 FC, going out of business in the offseason, the club appears to be loaning out players on an ad hoc basis. In addition to Fuentes and Walls in Austin, rookie forward Thomas Williamson has been loaned out to Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

Austin Bold kick off their 2021 campaign on May 15 at New Mexico United. Games are available to watch on ESPN+.

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