I was looking at the Quakes Wikipedia page, who are Adam Filice and Aiden Ang? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Jose_Earthquakes#Players_and_staff — DF MAR Adam Filice — DF MAS Aiden Ang
Neither one of those names is on the Quakes roster profile as of September 17 2024... maybe someone was having fun with Wikipedia
Who does Bruce clear out... Contract through 2024: Akapo, Yueill, Judd, Baldisimo, Walls 2025 option to not pick up: Yarbrough, Morales, Beason, Richmond, Thompson, Jackson Try to ditch: Gruezo, Pellegrino That's 13 names, Bruce said only around 5 new additions??
As I speculated earlier in one of the threads, I think when he said 3-5 players, he's thinking 3-5 starter or part-time starter level players, but there will be more turnover in the lower ends of the roster. Could be as many as 10 spots turned over. I think it might be right around there.
Looks like clearing out Akapo, Pellegrino and Gruezo would only free up 2 international slots since Gruezo doesn't use one... but there is one open so that's 3 out of 8 that could be open. Hopefully the Quakes immigration lawyers are working hard to fast track green cards for Rodrigues, Daniel, Wilson, Costa, and Lopez.
Bruce said that we're not in position to acquire "elite" international players and all of his comments about building the roster have been about MLS veteran guys + SuperDraft pick. It's possible we don't acquire anyone who isn't a US citizen or doesn't already have a green card.
If that's really the case I predict the Quakes don't make the playoffs again in 2025. They need to be using every player acquisition method to strengthen the roster, big money foreign DP to replace Gruezo, other foreign signings at TAM level, MLS veterans, Superdraft pick, homegrown signings...
I'm with you there, but the only thing I've heard Bruce talk about is acquiring MLS veterans (+ superdraft pick). He explicitly mentioned 3 things at the press conference: reentry draft, free agency, and Superdraft. Forecast calls for pain, unless he really makes great choices.
I had pretty similar expectations as JJ, from that list I think ~5 will be kept (so need to replace ~8) and giving us ~2 intl spots to play with. And based off reading Bruce's comments between the lines 3-5 new players will be brought in with the expectation of being starters (will use any of the int'l spots here) with the rest brought in MLS bench filler vets from free agency/the re-entry draft and superdraft picks. Also I think Jebo's contract is through 2024.
I had a short conversation with him, and if I understood correctly there is a 2025 option on him and he did not yet know if it would be picked up.
I actually think that he’s planning on filling the 3-5 starter-ish positions with just MLS free agency and reentry draft. He said that we’re not “in position” to acquire elite intl players. That leaves non-elite intl players, which has been kind of our MO, but reading the tea leaves I think Bruce would rather bring in MLS veterans over those kinds of TAM or lesser level intls. My guess is that he believes that the non-elite intl players are a risk that he doesn’t need to take. MLS veteran players are known quantities and he seems to believe with his assessment of those players + tactical know-how, that’s the way to get better. If this is the case we’ll have made a complete 180 from the Jesse days where every acquisition was a non-elite intl player and virtually 0 MLS vets. TAM level or less, with a few DPs like Vako. CL was kind of in-between - some MLS vets and some non-elite intls. Ironically, for a guy that should know the league, I think CL actually did a little better with his intl pickups than his MLS vet picks. There have been a number of poor MLS vet pickups: Calvo, Gregus, Yarbrough, Morales, Judd, Akinola, etc. The problem with picking up MLS free agents or reentry draft guys is that there’s usually a reason that they were not retained by their teams, and sooner or later you find out that reason.
Omar Gonzalez being a free agent 1000% is probably coming here. We should also pick up Johnny Russell and Tim Melia.
Im sure he would. But Im going to assume multiple teams will chase Melia. Miami could use him as a starter.
As I mentioned previously in this thread, when teams move on from guys, there's a reason. And if you acquire them, sooner or later that reason becomes clear. Not that it can't ever be a net positive anyway, but you'd better go in with eyes open. That said we should acquire Melia for PK's if nothing else. Or for simply being on our team so that we don't ever have to face him in PK's
Unless the team is the Earthquakes, which is practically famous for giving the boot to guys who go on to achieve glory with their next team(s).
I would play Melia over Daniel. Hes a top 10 All Timer with Meola, Thornton, Rimando, Hartman, Reis, and Cannon
What are we even talking about here... Tim Melia is 38 he's older than even William Yarbrough (35).... Sporting KC with Russell and Melia finished ahead of exactly one team in the west and that was the Quakes. Also Omar Gonzalez at 36 is also older than Yarbrough and just had his option declined by FC Dallas... I would be shocked if he made any MLS roster next year.
I wonder why SKC is moving on though? His salary is not that high - $600k something. He’s had a great career but as I said earlier when a team moves on from a player there’s always a reason. And no team knows the player better than its past recent team. That said I’d feel really good about a GK tandem of Daniel and Melia. JT is an unknown at this point. Been a long time since we’ve seen him play.