Weekly Update: Staying busy
Earthquakes remain active during offseason
After an outstanding first season with the San Jose Earthquakes, Major League Soccer announced Tuesday that Quakes midfielder Darren Huckerby was named the 2008 MLS Newcomer of the Year. Huckerby joined the Earthquakes July 14 when the team acquired his rights from Toronto FC. The former Norwich City star immediately made an impact on the field scoring in his first two home matches. He scored six goals and notched four assists in 14 games with the Quakes and won the team's Most Valuable Player award. He also won the team's Budweiser Golden Boot award with his six goals. The native of Nottingham scored game-winning goals against the Kansas City Wizards on Aug. 30 and D.C. United on Sept. 6. After strong month of September he was named Major League Soccer Player of the Month, scoring three goals and notching one assist in the month. In Huckerby's first eight matches with the team, the Quakes posted a 4-0-4 record, part of the Quakes league-high nine-game unbeaten streak. Huckerby becomes the second recipient of the MLS Newcomer of the Year award, introduced last year to recognize the first-year player with previous professional experience (and therefore not eligible for Rookie of the Year) who has made the biggest positive impact on his team. The Newcomer of the Year winner is given the MLS player with the most votes in polling of MLS players, general managers, coaches, and members of the media.
Coaches Corner
The Earthquakes have a launched a new interactive segment on sjearthquakes.com, the team's official website. Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 12, Coaches Corner, presented by Microsoft will air exclusively on sjearthquakes.com. The online weekly show will feature Quakes head coach Frank Yallop answering fan questions. Fans can send in questions using the form on the Coaches Corner page or by emailing events@sjearthquakes.com. The Nov. 12 show will feature a recap of the 2008 season. The weekly show will begin in 2009.
Scouting
The San Jose Earthquakes technical staff will be busy this week scouting games across the country. General Manager John Doyle and head coach Frank Yallop have both traveled to Cary, N.C. to scout the Atlantic Coast Conference soccer tournament. They will then travel to Tampa, Fla. for the Big East Championships, which take place on Nov. 14 & 16. Goalkeeper coach Jason Batty is currently in Madison, Wis. for the Big Ten Championships and assistant coach Ian Russell is traveling to Las Vegas to watch UNLV games this weekend.
Sealy with Trinidad & Tobago
Quakes forward Scott Sealy played three matches for Trinidad and Tobago in the group stage of the Digicel Cup last week. The Soca Warriors won two games and tied one to earn a spot in the Digicel Caribbean Championships, which will be played in Jamaica. On Nov. 5, Sealy entered as a sub in the 40th minute and helped the Soca Warriors to a 3-2 win over Antigua and Barbados at Marvin Lee Stadium in Trinidad. Two days later Sealy started for Trinidad and Tobago to help his country win their second match of group play 3-1 over St. Kitts and Nevis. Sealy also started the final game of the group stage against Guyana. Trinidad and Tobago came back to earn a 1-1 tie to win the group with seven points. Sealy was not named to his country's 18-man roster for its match on Nov. 19 against Cuba in World Cup qualifying.
National Team Duty
Earthquakes head athletic trainer Bruce Morgan will spend the week in Commerce City, Colo. at the U.S. National Team's training camp. The camp for the 19-man roster runs from Nov. 12-16. Head coach Bob Bradley will then announce his roster for the Nov. 19 World Cup qualifying match against Guatemala that will be played at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Morgan will assist the medical staff at the camp and the practices leading up to the qualifier next week.
2009 Season Tickets on Sale
Season tickets are on sale now for the 2009 Earthquakes season. The season-ticket package consists of 17 games, 15 regular season matches and two bonus matches. Prices begin at $306 and all packages offer significant savings off the regular price. Season ticket holders will also receive the following benefits: invitations to private Season Ticket Holder events, ability to purchase a season parking pass; Darren Huckerby Bobblehead and first priority for playoff tickets and all international games, along with a number of other benefits. To purchase season tickets, call 408-556-7700 or log on to sjearthquakes.com.
