"San Jose Earthquakes sign Mexican midfielder Rafael Baca" (Center Line Soccer - Friday, 7/8/11) GO SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
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.
"Earthquakes sign former LMU midfielder Baca" (SJEarthquakes.com - Friday, 7/8/11) GO SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
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).
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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?
He is a no name that most Mexican or hispanic fans ever heard of. I doubt he will attract 50-100 people.
Ramiro Corrales who has been around forever is a Mexican-American too. I doubt anyone pays to see him. Especially not now.
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.
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.
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.
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 .
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.
First game today and he was tentative. It's understandable , so we'll see what he has to offer in the next few games.
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.