The Official Rafael Baca thread

Discussion in 'San Jose Earthquakes' started by Goodsport, Jul 8, 2011.

  1. Goodsport

    Goodsport Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 18, 1999
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  2. JazzyJ

    JazzyJ BigSoccer Supporter

    Jun 25, 2003
    Yes! Could Baca be the right mid solution? According to centerline, he has sort of settled into the right mid position in scrimmages and reserve league matches.

    If the Quakes could solve the right mid problem by committee, they'd have it made:

    Gjoe
    Ampai
    Stephenson
    Wondo
    Convey
    Jasseh

    have all played there this season, and now here comes another one.
     
  3. Goodsport

    Goodsport Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 18, 1999
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  4. jetdog9

    jetdog9 Member+

    Nov 14, 2007
    Bay Area, CA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If this guy's good then that's great... especially since Dawkins is great but not a permanent thing. But I feel like we haven't seen enough of Jasseh or Ampai to see them passed over and I hope one of them doesn't get released or traded (unless a trade is really beneficial to the team).
     
  5. markmcf8

    markmcf8 Member+

    Oct 18, 1999
    Vancouver, WA, USA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Let us hope!

    At the very least, we should now be alternating between Ampai and Baca at this position. Even if neither of them are really ready to start in MLS, it would be better to give them some experience than to play the totally inadequate Gjoey at right mid, or to waste Wondo's goal scoring abilities there.

    This could be a big help.

    But of course, I'm assuming good coaches, which we clearly lack.

    GO QUAKES!!!!

    - Mark
     
  6. SJTillIDie

    SJTillIDie Member+

    Aug 23, 2009
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    This is excellent news but he is young and fresh out of college so let's not heap any unfair expectations on him right away! Prospects need time to develop.
     
  7. markmcf8

    markmcf8 Member+

    Oct 18, 1999
    Vancouver, WA, USA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Oh, and full marks to John Doyle for getting this done. If Baca turns out to be good, this will be one more good mark for Doyle.

    Of course, if Baca sucks, then Doyle is a tool!

    GO QUAKES!!

    - Mark
     
  8. TyffaneeSue

    TyffaneeSue moderator
    Staff Member

    Nov 15, 2003
    Upstairs
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Finally! I think he will be a fan favorite. That is, if he continues to play with passion and doesn't get thrown under the FY apathy bus.
     
  9. JazzyJ

    JazzyJ BigSoccer Supporter

    Jun 25, 2003
    True, though it seemed from early season reports of scrimmages and stuff that this guy was really standing out, maybe more so than Ampai. In the scrimmage against Cal (yeah, I know, Cal) but he had two assists and a goal I think.
     
  10. falvo

    falvo Member+

    Mar 27, 2005
    San Jose & Florence
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    Yeah from what my cousin told me as he starts for Cal , the Quakes beat the Bears 4-0 in the scrimmage but it was 0-0 at the half.
     
  11. QuietType

    QuietType Member+

    Jun 6, 2009
    Sacramento, CA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It never hurts to have a Mexican national on an MLS squad if you want to attract hispanic fans out to games. If he's a better option than Gjoey or Ampai (which I can't help but assume) then this is a great move all around.

    Out of curiousity, how much did we sign him for?
     
  12. falvo

    falvo Member+

    Mar 27, 2005
    San Jose & Florence
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    He is a no name that most Mexican or hispanic fans ever heard of. I doubt he will attract 50-100 people.
     
  13. Albany58

    Albany58 Member+

    Sep 14, 1999
    Concord, CA USA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Well, at least we can tell them, "We've got a Mexican."
     
  14. falvo

    falvo Member+

    Mar 27, 2005
    San Jose & Florence
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    Ramiro Corrales who has been around forever is a Mexican-American too. I doubt anyone pays to see him. Especially not now.
     
  15. willykirk

    willykirk Member

    Jan 6, 2004
    San Jose, Ca
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Ive been waiting on this news re: Baca the whole season! Why wouldn't a smart player w/ skill on the ball do well... Desperate for midfield help.
     
  16. JazzyJ

    JazzyJ BigSoccer Supporter

    Jun 25, 2003
    Actually I think Ramiro has a little bit of a following, but if anything I think it's more of a Salinas thing than a Mexican-American thing.
     
  17. QuietType

    QuietType Member+

    Jun 6, 2009
    Sacramento, CA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Well yea, but Baca is actually a Mexican, not "Mexican-American" (as far as I understand things from the press releases) born in the US like Ramiro. That's the point I was making.
     
  18. falvo

    falvo Member+

    Mar 27, 2005
    San Jose & Florence
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    Wonder what they think of his play this season? If they are objective students of the game, I can't imagine what they must be thinking.


    Baca is from Lawndale, CA and went to Animo Leadership Charter High School and pretty much grew up in California. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see it and it would be great news if he does bring out the fans and can improve the team. However, after being close to the immigrant Mexican community and after majoring in Spanish and teaching the language as well as ESL classes as I've done off and on for the last 16 years, I seriously doubt we will see many fans turn out for him. We may see 50 fans and family members with a Mexican flag or two but other than that, I doubt too many will show up. I just hope he will score some goals and add some consistency flair to what we got already .
     
  19. FUAEG

    FUAEG Member+

    Oct 18, 2005
    San Jose
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'll be there for Baca.

    VIVA Baca!
     
  20. falvo

    falvo Member+

    Mar 27, 2005
    San Jose & Florence
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    He just told me on fcbk he should play tonight.
     
  21. QuietType

    QuietType Member+

    Jun 6, 2009
    Sacramento, CA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Nice, I hope he's starting at RM
     
  22. CCSoccerFan

    CCSoccerFan Member

    May 2, 2009
    Unfortunately I missed the game tonight (company in town)... but I have seen both Baca and Ampai a few times in college. Personally, I prefer Baca slightly because of his wonderful touch on the ball. I am very hopeful for him as a professional. I wish them both well and the Quakes certainly need some type of spark.
     
  23. ant0n

    ant0n Member+

    Jun 12, 2007
    San Jose, Ca
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    First game today and he was tentative. It's understandable , so we'll see what he has to offer in the next few games.
     
  24. falvo

    falvo Member+

    Mar 27, 2005
    San Jose & Florence
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    He looked lively as soon as he came on but he didn't have enough time. Maybe he will start the next game. I know he has been training with the club all season so he knows them and they know him so the cohesion shouldn't be a problem.
     
  25. ant0n

    ant0n Member+

    Jun 12, 2007
    San Jose, Ca
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    His lively moments were when he'd run a ball down. That was it.
     

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