Semi-Official 2026 San Jose Earthquakes Roster Thread

As I mentioned, I think it's unclear if Hernán's DP slot is open. My guess is that it isn't. If we can trust "AI Overview",

"Yes, the transfer fee (acquisition cost) does count as part of a player's compensation when determining Designated Player (DP) status in Major League Soccer."

That means that Hernán's compensation is about $4M per year (~$6M amortized over 3 years plus $1M a year). If the rule is that Argentinos would have to cover that full $4M a year in order for Hernán's DP slot to be open, well, that's not happening. They might not even be covering his $1M salary. This would also explain why we bought down Arango and not Hernán. At $4M a year, he is not remotely buydownable.

 

He's listed as a DP on that PDF that comes straight from the league. I don't know what more confirmation we need.

 

As I've mentioned previously, Hernán is listed with a caret and an asterisk in the DP list.



The caret means he is "unbuydownable". The asterisk means there's uncertainty about roster / international spot relief as well as salary budget relief. I don't know if that comment about "roster / international spot relief" also applies to DP designation.

* indicates player is currently unavailable, and club may receive roster/international spot relief, but not Salary Budget relief unless otherwise determined pursuant to the loan agreement.

 

I guess Daniel must have picked up a green card during the offseason? I guess using an international slot to sign Adimabua is certainly a choice, one of the side effects of dumping most of our foreign players.

 

Yes, that's what I was referring to. The consensus before this seemed to be that we loaned two DPs out, so we could bring in two new ones. I'm not certain, but assume that if we brought Chicho back, her would become a DP again, Pretty complicated stuff.

 

MLS pundits have been running around saying we have 2 open DP spots. Do they not know the rules or the situation or do they know something we don’t know?

Matt Doyle: “Note that Hernán López, who came in as a DP No. 10, is on loan at Argentinos Juniors through the end of 2026 in a way that opens up that DP slot.”

 

Meaning as a green card holder , he doesn't count as an international any longer?

 

Yeah - that's what it means.

 

I just noticed we're paying a bench warmer nearly 1M/year

 

He's 32 and has to be looking at this as the beginning of the end. If we retain him next year it's gotta be for much less $, like half or less.

 

More power to him!

I say milk it for as long as possible!

I just read Sergio Busquets made $8.75 last year in Miami.

I know it’s a young men's game but retiring at 37 in real life is still a very young age.

When someone goes from making $8.75 a year to $0.00 in a span of only a few months at 36 or 37 years of age, it can be devastating.

Hopefully these players have something lined up for when the checks stop coming.

 

Romney vs. Busquets:

 

No its not but going from making millions to $0.00 in a span of only a few months , for a 30+ year old is still devastating regardless of your name or who you are.

Heck , even Nick Lima at 31 years of age made sure he would be paid.

 

I can see getting a DP #9. Then Judd is the sub/backup, and Nonso can either develop or not.

I’m still not sold on Niko. He wasn’t very good against the Filly Onion. So I’m still interested in a DP#10. Heck, Niko could learn from a high level #10 (someone with two feet).

We need a better backup GK too, ‘cuz Daniel is fragile.

Go Quakesfans!!

 

It's only devastating if you're an idiot and live like the gravy train is never going and you hang with a posse of hangers-on. If you adopt a relatively 'normal' lifestyle take the advice of a fiduciary financial advisor you are unlikely to find it devastating. In fact, I'd say that's a pretty soft landing for a 30-something and a great way to start a new life.

 

Obviously if he's had responsible people looking after his money he should be totally fine financially. Pro athletes do have a tough time adjusting to retirement, but as a Barça legend he should have a fulfilling job waiting for him at La Masia if he wants it - and assuming he picked up a bit of English he should have plenty of options.

 

Yeah it’s “1st world problems” of the highest order. We’d all love to have such “problems”.