San Jose Earthquakes Academy is on its way!

That phrasing strongly implies 1 year plus 3 option years, which is the typical contract for draftees. I think it helps to think of post-college homegrowns like quasi-draftees. If they're the kind of player you would sign through the draft, its reasonable to give them a shot when you can get them without the draft.

There's no such thing as HG slots. The only limits on HG signings are the overall roster limits, and practical considerations such as deciding how many slots you want to dedicate to 15-year-olds who aren't going to be used on the first team in the near future.

 

1+3 options years would make me feel better. The reason I thought it might be 3+1 is that Jeff was describing the standard HG contract. If there is anything about Richmond’s option being taken this year that would support the 1+3 theory.

Edit: I do see Richmond listed as having his option picked up this year so these must all be 1+3 option years, as you say.

Yes I didn’t mean HG slots literally, it was more like “# of slots one would reasonably allocate for HGs”. There are supplemental roster slots, of which I think there are 10. My concern is that we have too many guys who are older and have hit their ceiling and are not quite good enough to help us, and not enough young emerging prospects with high ceilings filling those spots.

 

Actually, I had it backwards -- the typical HG contract in the past was three years + two option years.

 

All three Quakes starting in the U17 tournament opener, coming up at the top of the hour.

What we've been waiting for 💪

Your #U17MYNT starting XI to kick off World Cup qualifying! pic.twitter.com/T4U0CLtjE5

— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) February 11, 2023

 

🇺🇸 @USYNT's Cruz Medina with a ROCKET! 🚀😱

He now has a brace 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LpHSnhEAgF

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 12, 2023

 

Wow!

Looks like his 1st goal was less impressive - a cheeky PK that went awry, but was recovered on the deflection and redirected back his way for a simple finish.

 

🎥 🇺🇸 🆚 🇧🇧 | Watch the best moments of the @USYNT victory in #CU17C 👇

📰 https://t.co/PgMT0vdUwq 👈 pic.twitter.com/RObpoVFAeo

— Concacaf (@Concacaf) February 12, 2023

 

Cruz ends with a hat trick, not bad.

My first time watching U-17s, so it’s not clear to me how good the teams are. The US had good patterns of play but everyone clearly looks young, and there were a number of errant passes. Looking forward to the Canada game!

 

Fidel Barajas ended up with a goal and assist for Mexico’s team too. Nice showing from 4 Quakes academy guys.

 

Why exactly didn't the Quakes sign Fidel Barajas?

#MEXCUW | ⏱ 17’ | 3-0

Fidel Barajas makes a great individual play and scores from inside the box. 🔥💪#CU17C | #FMFporNuestroFútbol https://t.co/OXqaGnYGTI

— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) February 11, 2023

#U17 | #MEXCUW | ⏱ 72’ | 6-0

G⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️L from Alex Valencia assisted by Barajas. 💚🤩#CU17C https://t.co/ggaBOtNuzE

— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) February 11, 2023

 

Heh, what a question! Obviously we had to reserve those supplemental roster spots for mature college guys Cam Cilley and Keegan Tingey while we told Fidel to grow up and go to college.

Actually, my guess is that Barajas has his sights on playing in Liga MX on a kind of fast track. He's only 16 and playing professionally for Charleston, where he will probably get some D2 minutes and possibly enough notice to get a Liga MX contract? If he signs with the Quakes it's going to be maybe some Quakes II but not much else for a few years. So did either party really want an HG deal?

 

Medina, Mendoza, Verhoeven, that's three Quakes starting again, this time vs Canada in the final group stage game with both having already advanced...

Almost that time ⏳

Your #U17MYNT starting XI vs. 🇨🇦! pic.twitter.com/kIwJeW7p45

— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) February 16, 2023

On FS2 and streaming on Fox Sports where you can watch 60 minutes by using a private browser tab

 

80 west coast based players are off to Chula Vista ☀️ pic.twitter.com/GSOI8EHbwR

— Youth Soccer Central (@yscentral) February 19, 2023

pic.twitter.com/SCgvwCvu5Q

— Youth Soccer Central (@yscentral) February 19, 2023

 

U14s have never known a world in which Fisher didn’t own the Quakes. Mind blowing.

 

Wonder how much the Quakes (and the US) will regret Fidel Barajas getting away...

Once again, the @Chas_Battery's Fidel Barajas gets the start for #ElTriEng as it looks to claim its spot at the FIFA Men's U-17 World Cup.

He's recorded three goals and two assists so far in the tournament. #CB93 #CU17C #ReadyToShine https://t.co/w1qNBsQfAu

— Nicholas Murray (@NJEMurray) February 21, 2023

So far in U-17 qualifying, Fidel Barajas has 3 goals 2 assists... Cruz Medina has 3 goals all in the first game against Barbados

 

Bold = Norcal (16/80)
Bold and Underline = Quakes (6/80)

U.S. Soccer will hold its first regional mini-camp of 2023 as part of the Under-14 Talent Identification Program. Eighty players from the West Region will gather from Feb. 2-6 at the Elite Athlete Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif.​

GOALKEEPERS (8): Tyler Adams (Washington Premier FC), Jacob Aguilar (Los Angeles Galaxy), Marcelo Avalos (San Jose Earthquakes), Anthony Juarez (Los Angeles FC), Oliver Lopez Aceves (Real Salt Lake - Arizona), Benjamin Robertson (Portland Timbers), William Walker (San Diego Surf SC), Matthew White (Breakers FC)

DEFENDERS (24): Lucas Angelbeck (Washington Timbers FC), Xavier Argueta (Los Angeles SC), Landon Booth (Pacific Northwest SC), Max Bramwell (Portland Timbers), Edward Chadwick (Los Angeles Galaxy), Isaiah Claverie (Legends FC), Tyson Espy (Los Angeles FC), Immanuel Ewing (ALBION SC Merced), Azyk Gomez-Carmona (Los Angeles FC), Duncan Green (Seattle Sounders FC), Dylan Guerina (Los Angeles Galaxy), Jaxson Hall (Real Salt Lake - Arizona), Jaxson Herbert (Phoenix Rising FC), Nicholas Juarez (San Diego Surf SC), Mateo Mclean (Los Angeles Galaxy), August Nystrom (Portland Timbers), Justin Olmos (Los Angeles FC), Wesley Peters (Eastside FC), Linkon Ream (Real Salt Lake City), Edgar Rodriguez (San Jose Earthquakes), Woltjer Rojas (San Jose Earthquakes), Roi Shalon (Breakers FC), Preston Thao (Sacramento Republic), Anders Theurer (Sparta United SC)

MIDFIELDERS (29): Oscar Araiza Rojas (ALBION SC Merced), Cristiano Briceno (FC Bay Area Surf), Luke Chamberlain (ALBION SC San Diego), Alfredo Chavez (Los Angeles FC), Bryan Cisneros (Washington Premier FC), Jesus Cota Monzon (Real Salt Lake - Arizona), Joaquin Cunningham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Noah Dasilva (Real Salt Lake - Arizona), Abraham Frick (Portland Timbers), Victor Garcia (ALBION SC San Diego), Jonah Giorgis (Real Salt Lake - Arizona), Gerson Huertero (Las Vegas Sports Academy), Paolo Hurtado Martinez (Seattle Sounders FC), Levi Katsell (ALBION SC San Diego), Tyrone Knight (ALBION SC Merced), Ronan Leeming (Seattle Sounders FC), Rowan Martin (Real Salt Lake City), Chadwell Mima (Silicon Valley Soccer Academy), Anthony Munoz (Los Angeles FC), Sebastian Siegler (SC del Sol), Gabriell Sorto (Ventura County Fusion), Kaedren Spivey (San Jose Earthquakes), Kyota Tani (Pateadores SC), Renden Thomas (LAFC So Cal Youth Club), Christian Trelles (San Francisco Glens), Isaac Ventura (Ballistic United), Cesar Villalba (Los Angeles FC), Jordan Villanueva (Portland Timbers), Braeden Vitelli (Atletico Futbol)

FORWARDS (19): Mathis Albert (Los Angeles Galaxy), Warren Boyce (Sacramento Republic FC), Anthony Capetillo Hernandez (Real Salt Lake - Arizona), Elijah Cook (Legends FC), Elias Douratsos-Walker (Portland Timbers), Hudson Garner (City SC), Kengo Horike (Los Angeles FC), Enzo Martino (Park City Red Wolves SC), Aaron Medina (Los Angeles Galaxy), Omar Mendez (ALBION SC San Diego), Julian Nunez-Corona (Sacramento Republic), Jaime Ontiveros Jr (Breakers FC), William Ostrander (San Jose Earthquakes), Ashton Riggs (Mt. Rainier Football Club), Darian Rus (Los Angeles FC), Oscar Santana (Crossfire Premier SC), Boston St. Claire (Los Angeles FC), Leiston Stoddard (Washington Premier FC), Jorge Torres Perez (San Jose Earthquakes)

https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/20...identification-mini-camp-in-chula-vista-calif

 

Medina starts

Quarterfinal showdown! 🍿

Your #U17MYNT starting XI vs. Guatemala! pic.twitter.com/OUSNeStGJE

— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) February 22, 2023

 

https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/20...n-california-for-second-training-camp-of-2023

Oliver Tan, Kaelen Dougan called up. Also Chance Cowell is an interesting sight back with the US after some time with L Tri. Unrelated but Cavan Sullivan as well on there playing an age group up.

 

definitely a pattern emerging....

https://chasingacup.com/who-are-the-young-players-to-know-in-usl/

WING, Fidel Barajas, Charleston Battery (2006)

Barajas is another player that featured at the Concacaf U17 Championships for tournament winner, Mexico. Barajas has played for both the United States and Mexico and he comes from the San Jose Earthquakes Academy. Barajas joined Charleston midseason last year and like Jamison, is looking to increase his impact in his first full season. Barajas is a player that likely sees USL as a stepping stone to a bigger league. He turns 18 in April of 2024 which is when he’d be eligible to move to Europe.

RCB, Drew Murray, Oakland Roots (2005)

Murray is one of two San Jose Earthquakes Academy players that have signed a one-year deal with nearby club, Oakland Roots. Murray is a tall center-back with good passing accuracy. I’ve heard rumors that he has a reserve team deal lined up with a club in Germany which he would join after this season.

DM, Ethan Kohler, Oakland Roots (2005)

Kohler is the second San Jose Earthquake product to join Oakland this offseason. Kohler is an athletic and tenacious number six that I thought San Jose might offer a homegrown deal to, but they didn’t and Kohler is looking to get his professional career started in Oakland. Like Murray, I’ve heard this is a one and done deal and Kohler could be headed to Germany after this season.

 

There were 3 players getting national team call ups that left just prior to those guys.

Otoya, Rajagopal and Anderson.