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San Jose Earthquakes

San Jose Earthquakes Acquire Defender Nick Garcia

January 15, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes announced today the team has acquired defender Nick Garcia from the Kansas City Wizards in exchange for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft.

"Nick will be the centerpiece of our defense for a long time" stated John Doyle, General Manager of Soccer Operations for the San Jose Earthquakes. "Nick is not only a great soccer player but will be a leader in our young franchise."

Garcia, an eight year MLS veteran, has played and started 247 games with the Kansas City Wizards. He has played a total of 22,293 minutes, and in his rookie year, Garcia helped the Wizards win the MLS Cup in 2000.

Garcia also has significant international experience representing the U.S. National Team. He trained with the U.S. during first camp of 2005 in preparation for the first World Cup Qualifying match. He was first called up for National Team duty shortly after the MLS Cup in 2000 but did not appear in a match. Garcia has 20 career caps for the U.S. U-20 National Team and has scored one goal and one assist.

"I am very excited to play in San Jose and I am grateful for the opportunity that Frank Yallop and John Doyle are giving me " stated Nick Garcia, defender for the San Jose Earthquakes. "I will work very hard to make the Earthquakes a great franchise and win many more Championships."

In 2007 Garcia played 27 games and had one assist for the Wizards. He also anchored a defense that posted two shutouts of the season and ran his season total minutes played to 2,420.

In 2006 Garcia scored his first career goal in his 181st career match in 3-2 loss vs DC United. He was also a part of a defense that posted its third shutout of the season. Garcia ended the 2006 season tallying 2,519 minutes on the field and starting 29 games. He scored one goal for the Wizards and recorded three shots on goal.

Garcia started and appeared in 30 matches in 2005. He began the season as a central defender alongside Jimmy Conrad before moving to right back for the first time at Columbus.

In 2004 after playing most of the season at either right back or left back, Garcia moved into a central defense role in mid-September and helped the team to three consecutive 1-0 shutouts. He played every minute in the Wizards four postseason matches, including the MLS Cup vs. DC United.

In 2003 Garcia appeared in 29 matches for the Wizards, starting all 29 contests and logging 2,689 minutes. He started vs. San Jose Earthquakes in August to mark his 100th career MLS start, becoming the 100th player in MLS history to reach that mark and also the youngest to start 100 games. Garcia also started and played every minute of the Wizards three postseason matches.

Garcia appeared in 27 of the Wizards 28 2002 regular season matches. He registered his first career MLS point, assisting on Chris Klein's goal in the 10th minute against the Metrostars.

In 2001 Garcia started in 24 of 27 games starting and playing every minute in all 24 games. He played every minute of all three playoff matches against Miami.

Garcia made his MLS debut in 2000 as a central defender and helped the Wizards tie a league record with their 12th shutout of the season on June 24th. He finished the season by playing every minute of every game with 2916 minutes, setting the MLS rookie record and tying teammate Peter Vermes for third in minutes played in 2000. Garcia played every minute of the Wizards seven postseason matches, including their 1-0 win against the Chicago Fire to win the MLS Cup in 2000.

The San Jose Earthquakes are a Major League Soccer expansion franchise and will begin playing in April of 2008. Season tickets for the 2008 Earthquakes season are on sale and can be purchased by calling (408) 556-7700 or online at sjearthquakes.com.

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Major League Soccer Stories from January 15, 2008


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