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San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes Weekly Update

December 22, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

Great Soccer Ball Relay Coming to Northern California

The Earthquakes will commemorate the opening of Avaya Stadium next year with an Olympic torch-style soccer ball relay that ends in the club's new venue. The Great Soccer Ball Relay, presented by The Bay Area BMW Centers, will travel through 16 different cities across Northern California before delivering the game ball to the home opener at Avaya Stadium next March. The Relay will kickoff in the state's capital in Sacramento on Wednesday, Jan. 7. Local celebrities, community members, and Earthquakes representatives will each dribble the length of a soccer field along the route in each city. Each dribbler that participates in the relay will receive a commemorative Great Soccer Ball Relay ball and shirt, courtesy of adidas. In addition to the relay, the club will host free soccer clinics for 100 youth at 10 of the locations along the way led by Earthquakes coaches and staff. Each clinic participant will receive a free soccer ball and the opportunity to meet the celebrity dribblers in their hometowns. Keep an eye out for more information about the event at www.sjearthquakes.com .

Earthquakes vs. Fire to Open Avaya Stadium on March 22

The Earthquakes will make their highly anticipated debut at Avaya Stadium against the Chicago Fire on Sunday, March 22 (4 p.m. PT / FOX Sports 1), presented by Avaya. The club also announced that they have crested 9,000 season ticket holders heading into the 2015 season. The Earthquakes' first game of 2015 will be against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on Saturday, March 7. Kickoff and broadcast information for that match will be announced at a later date.

Individual Ticket Info for Home Opener, 2015 Season

Earthquakes season ticket holders will have an exclusive pre-sale window for the home opener and the rest of San Jose's 2015 schedule beginning at 1 p.m. PT on Tuesday, Jan. 13. Groups of 10 or more will have the next opportunity to purchase tickets beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14, followed by the public on-sale date on Friday, Jan. 16 at 10 a.m. Tickets will be available at www.sjearthquakes.com, www.ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or visiting select Ticketmaster locations around the Bay Area. Groups of 10 or more can call the club's Front Office at 408-556-7700.

Thompson Scores for U.S. U-20s

Earthquakes forward Tommy Thompson scored a game-winner and started twice for the U.S. U-20s in a pair of friendlies against the Honduran U-20 national team in San Pedro Sula last week. The precocious 19-year-old put in a 90-minute shift in the Americans' first match against Los Catrachos on Dec. 18. He tallied the game's decisive goal in the 70th minute, heading a pass from defender Shaquell Moore into the upper right corner for his second goal with the USA. Three days later, Thompson saw 88 minutes of action before subbing off for Chase Gasper. The U.S. won that match by a 2-1 scoreline as well, closing their 2014 slate with a 6-1-2 record. Thompson debuted for the U-20s on July 16 against Bermuda and finished the year with two goals in seven appearances.

Earthquakes Acquire Gruenebaum in Stage One of MLS Re-Entry Process

The Earthquakes acquired former Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum through Stage One of the 2014 MLS Re-Entry Process on Dec. 12. Gruenebaum, 31, is a nine-year MLS veteran with 90 starts during that span. He began his career with the Columbus Crew after joining them as a first round pick (No. 3 overall) in the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft. Gruenebaum made 26 appearances during his first six years with Columbus and won the starting job in 2012. He posted eight clean sheets in 33 games during his first year as a starter and then picked up four more clean sheets in 21 games the next season. The Kansas City native had a homecoming in 2014 after the Crew traded him to Sporting KC in exchange for a second round pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. Gruenebaum had a 6-3-2 record with three shutouts for Sporting KC.

Earthquakes Select Nyassi, Wynne in Stage Two of MLS Re-Entry Process

The Earthquakes selected former Colorado Rapids defender Marvell Wynne and former Chicago Fire midfielder Sanna Nyassi in Stage Two of the 2014 MLS Re-Entry Process last week. Wynne, 28, is a nine-year MLS veteran with two goals and 18 assists in his 236 games as a defender. He spent his last five seasons with the Rapids, anchoring a back line that posted 44 shutouts during his tenure. He also helped lead Colorado to the MLS Cup Playoffs in three of his five years in the Rockies, including an MLS Cup title in 2010. Nyassi, 25, is a six-year MLS veteran with 16 goals and 13 assists in 128 games. The Gambian international split 2014 between the Montreal Impact and Chicago Fire. He had one goal in four games to start the campaign for Montreal before heading to Chicago in exchange for midfielder Dilly Duka on July 29. He closed the season with one goal and three assists in 10 games for the Fire.

Earthquakes Acquire Sherrod from Orlando City SC

The Earthquakes acquired second-year forward Mark Sherrod from Orlando City SC on Dec. 11 in exchange for the club's natural second round pick (No. 25 overall) in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. The Knoxville, Tenn. Native was a second round pick (No. 32 overall) of the Houston Dynamo in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft. He joined Orlando City SC through Wednesday's MLS Expansion Draft. Sherrod, 24, showed promise early in his rookie season, recording two goals and one assist in nine games as a member of the Dynamo. However, the six-foot-three striker tore his left anterior-cruciate ligament in the 12th minute of a match against D.C. United on May 21. Sherrod was in the midst of his third start in as many games when the injury occurred. Two games prior, he tallied a brace in a 5-2 loss against Real Salt Lake and then followed up with an assist in his next outing, a 1-0 win against the LA Galaxy.

Quakes Select Barrera in MLS Waiver Draft

The Earthquakes selected former Chivas USA midfielder Leandro Barrera in the MLS Waiver Draft on Dec. 10. By selecting Barrera, the Earthquakes have acquired a right of first refusal. San Jose will now have an opportunity to complete a deal with his current club, Argentinos Juniors, to secure his services. Barrera, 23, spent the 2014 season with Chivas USA, playing 32 games with 24 starts for the Goats. He scored one goal and notched two assists. Prior to coming to MLS, the native of Mendoza, Argentina played for six seasons with Asociacion Atletica Argentinos Juniors in the Argentine First Division. He made his professional debut for the club in 2010 and appeared in 42 matches, scoring three goals from 2010-2013. He also was called up for Argentina's Under 20 national team during his time with Argentinos Juniors.

Lenhart Inks New Deal with Earthquakes

The Earthquakes signed forward Steven Lenhart to a new contract last week. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Lenhart, 28, is a seven-year MLS veteran with 33 goals and 12 assists in 135 games. Twenty of those goals and eight assists have come during his four years with San Jose. He was a key component for an Earthquakes squad that won the 2012 Supporters' Shield, recording a career-high 10 goals and two assists. He provided a number of memorable moments during that season, including a 98th-minute equalizer against the Chicago Fire on July 28 and a 93rd-minute game-winner against Seattle on Aug. 11. Lenhart is tied for No. 7 on the club's all-time goals list.

Bingham Signs New Contract with San Jose

The Earthquakes signed goalkeeper David Bingham to a new contract on Dec. 10. Per league and team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed. Bingham, 25, recently graduated from the Generation adidas program. He has made five regular season appearances in his four years with the Earthquakes after joining the club through a weighted lottery on Jan. 26, 2011. The Bay Area native has also been the club's primary goalkeeper for U.S. Open Cup games since he joined the Quakes, putting together a 3-3 record in six games over the last three years. Bingham spent most of the 2014 campaign on loan, including stops in San Antonio and Norway. He recorded five shutouts and 35 saves while compiling a 7-2-1 record in 10 games for the Scorpions early in 2014. He then joined IF Strommen of Norway's second division for the final months of the year, helping them to a 4-2-3 record during that stretch.

Hernandez Selected by NYCFC in MLS Expansion Draft

Earthquakes defender Jason Hernandez was among 20 players taken in the 2014 MLS Expansion Draft on Dec. 10. The New Jersey native will head closer to home after New York City FC used their third-round selection to select Hernandez. Hernandez, 31, started 20 games for the Earthquakes in 2014, his seventh season with the club. He made his 200th MLS appearance during the campaign, suiting up for 90 minutes against the LA Galaxy on June 28 at Stanford Stadium. The veteran center back was a regular in the lineup for the club's 2012 Supporters Shield and MLS Cup Playoff runs in 2010 and 2012. Hernandez is third on the club's all-time appearance (165) and games started (161) lists and is fourth all-time in minutes played (13,859). Hernandez originally joined San Jose through the 2007 MLS Expansion Draft.

Earthquakes Introduce Burlingame Dragons FC as Official PDL Partner for 2015

The Earthquakes introduced Burlingame Dragons FC as their official PDL affiliate for the 2015 season on Dec. 9. Burlingame Dragons FC is co-owned by Nick Swinmurn, founder of Zappos.com and minority investor in the Golden State Warriors, and Dave Ebersman, former CFO for Facebook and Genentech. The club will play its inaugural season at Burlingame High School, close to the city's Caltrain station and renovated downtown district. Season ticket packages are $60 and include eight home games. For more information about the team or to inquire about season tickets, visit www.burlingamedragons.com .

2015 Earthquakes Open Tryout, Presented by 7UP

The Earthquakes will host the 2015 Earthquakes Open Tryout, presented by 7UP, on Sunday, Jan. 25 at the Mustang Soccer Complex in Danville, Calif. for males 18 or older. Participants will have the opportunity to make the club's first team or the Quakes Premier Development League team. The tryout will consist of three heats between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. PT. Each heat will last 90 minutes with each player on the field for a pair of 30-minute scrimmages. Scouts from the club will be on site to evaluate players. A maximum of 200 participants will be allowed to try out. In order to sign up, players must be 18 years or older and no longer in high school. In addition to the tryout, each participant will receive a ticket voucher to attend a 2015 Earthquakes home game. Each participant must also show proof of identification at the tryout. Registration is $120 per person with all proceeds benefiting the Earthquakes Community Fund. All interested participants should register online by visiting www.sjearthquakes.com/opentryout. A member of the club's front office will notify registrants about their heat information the week of January 19.

Earthquakes Partner with Ticketmaster

The Earthquakes have partnered with Ticketmaster to provide ticketing solutions for Avaya Stadium. The comprehensive ticketing solution includes a number of new features for season ticket holders and single-game buyers alike. Among the highlighted features for Earthquakes season ticket holders is an improved account manager platform that will allow fans to transfer tickets to their friends, as well as enhanced re-sale options and the ability to print match tickets at home for free. Additionally, Earthquakes tickets will now be available at select Ticketmaster locations, including Walmart and Chavez Supermarkets.

Offseason Schedule

The busy MLS offseason will take a pause during the holiday season, but the schedule of events picks up once again with the new year. Here's a glance at dates to keep in mind:

Â- January 2-5, 2015 - MLS Caribbean Combine

Â- January 9-13, 2015 - MLS Combine

Â- January 15, 2015 - MLS SuperDraft

ACADEMY NOTES

Foe Nuphaus Represents U.S. U-15s

Earthquakes Academy midfielder Jean-Julien Foe Nuphaus was one of 36 players called to U.S. U-15 camp from Dec. 13-20 by head coach John Hackworth. The group convened in Bradenton, Fla. for a domestic camp that included intra-squad games and a full training session with the U.S. U-17s. Foe Nuphaus has one goal in seven games for the club's U-14 squad this season.

Marcinkowski, Bashti Called to U.S. U-18 Duty

Earthquakes Academy goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski and midfielder Amir Bashti were among 20 players called to U.S. U-18 duty by head coach Javier Perez for a training camp in Marbella, Spain from Dec. 11-20. The duo each saw action in matches against the German U-18s. Marcinkowski started in a 3-2 loss on Dec. 19 and also came off the bench after Jonathan Klinsmann was sent off for receiving his second caution in the 92nd minute of a 2-1 win on Dec. 17. Meanwhile, Bashti came off the bench in the 88th minute of the match on Dec. 19.

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