There were a lot of people here who felt Baca was just a one dimensional player and didn't offer the versatility we wanted to see in our midfield. In hindsight, perhaps what he did (and did well) was not appreciated to the extent it should have. We also had Cronin starting at the time, who played a game not too dissimilar to Baca's. Remember all the complaints of our "empty bucket" midfield of d-mid/holding mids and no attacking central midfielder?
I remember well, I also remember that Baca, when permitted, had a more aggressive mindset to his game.
Yeah people criticized him for not getting enough goals and assists which just goes to show you how counting stats can be overrated. Baca did all the little things right. He had a huge work rate and covered a lot of ground and got stuck in like alashe, he buzzed all over the place and gave openings to teammates to advance the ball on the ground like TT, and he was very tidy with the ball and didn't commit turnovers. He was very responsible and never hung the back line out to dry like godoy does regularly.
Game recognize game. 🤝Until next time, @RafaBacaJr! ⚫️🔵 pic.twitter.com/qJdWuZRoLk— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) October 14, 2018
Remember Dom Kinnear Simon Dawkins There is zero need to limit ourselves to players and coaches who have been here in the past... there are thousands of quality players out there.
🚨BREAKING🚨: Per Sources, Monterey Bay FC are set to sign former San Jose Earthquakes and Cruz Azul player Rafael Baca. The 33 year old CDM has played 265 games in Liga MX and 79 games in MLS. Baca is reunited with former Head Coach Frank Yallop and former teammate Simon… pic.twitter.com/gItqfOz4rC— Favian Renkel (@FavianRenkel) July 21, 2023
Really? I know he's 33 and stuff, but he's ready to come and play USL from Liga MX? Seems like only a few years ago he was at the top of his game. Weird. We couldn't sign him as depth, since it seems like Judson is only good for about 1 game a month due to some kind of chronic injury?
This is really good news for Monterey Bay! He went to Mexico, made a pretty good living for 10 years and now comes back! I don't know how much money he was making in LIGA MX but I'm assuming it's a lot more than he will have made if he were to stay in MLS or with the Quakes. Now he can probably buy a home in Monterey-Salinas or wherever and establish himself for when he hangs them up. I’m betting he will get into coaching in a few years. Welcome back Rafael Baca!