Misc. Notes
Ching Earns Spot on RadioShack MLS Best XI and Named MLS Comeback Player of the Year
Earthquakes forward Brian Ching continued to earn accolades for his impressive 2004 season. The Earthquakes Budweiser Scoring Champion and Honda Most Valuable Player was named the MLS Comeback Player of the Year on Friday, Nov. 12 and then was named a member of the RadioShack MLS Best XI at the MLS Gala Awards on Saturday, Nov. 13. Ching, 26, enjoyed a true breakout season in 2004, picking up right where he left off after his 2003 season was cut short by a ruptured right Achilles tendon. Ching recovered from the devastating injury and exploded for a league-leading 12 goals and four assists to become the Quakes Budweiser Scoring Champion. Ching earned MLS Player of the Week honors for his two-goal effort on July 17 vs. Colorado. The Hawaiian native was rewarded this year with his first selection to the Sierra Mist MLS All-Star game, where he scored a goal, and also played in his first World Cup Qualifying matches with the United States National Team. Ching impressed at the international level as well, scoring two goals in his first two World Qualifying appearances for the U.S.
De Rosario Wins Sierra Mist Goal of the Year
Earthquakes forward Dwayne De Rosario became the first member of the Quakes to win the Sierra Mist Goal of the Year with his stunning strike on Aug. 7 against D.C. United. De Rosario's goal was selected in balloting on the League's official website, MLSnet.com. With the Quakes ahead 1-0 at home, De Rosario picked a Brian Mullan cross out of midair at the top of the area and ripped a full volley past United goalkeeper Troy Perkins. De Rosario's goal finished ahead of Steve Ralston's goal for New England against Chicago on Oct. 16.
Expansion List
The Earthquakes team staff submitted their list of protected and unprotected players for the upcoming MLS Expansion Draft, which takes place on Friday, Nov. 19 at 1:00 p.m. PT, to the League office today. The names of the unprotected players from all 10 current MLS teams will be available on the League's official website, www.mlsnet.com, on Wednesday, Nov. 17. The MLS Expansion Draft will be televised live on Friday on ESPNEWS. The Earthquakes were allowed to protect 12 senior roster players.
De Rosario with National Team
Dwayne De Rosario is currently with the Canadian National Team as it prepares for a World Cup Qualifying match against Guatemala in Guatemala City on Wednesday, Nov. 17. Canada has been eliminated from reaching the next round, while Guatemala has already earned a place in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying. The 26-year old forward has played in 26 games for Canada and scored six goals. He scored a goal in Canada's 3-1 loss to Costa Rica on October 13.
Alvarez with U20s
Quakes midfielder Arturo Alvarez has joined the United States Under-20 national team for a training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. that began on Sunday, Nov. 14 and runs through Nov. 22. During the week, the Under-20s will play Honduras on Friday, Nov. 19 and Mexico on Sunday, Nov. 21. Both matches kick off at 4:00 p.m. PT at Lockhart Stadium. This will be the first training camp under Sigi Schmid, who was named the U.S. U-20 head coach in late October. Schmid will be looking at numerous players during the camps as he begins to sort through the U-20 player pool and mold his squad for the U-20 CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament that will take place from January 12-16, 2005.
Season Tickets on Sale Now
San Jose Earthquakes season ticket packages for the 2005 season at Spartan Stadium are now on sale. The Earthquakes 2005 season ticket package features 18 games, including all MLS regular season games and special bonus games. The Quakes season ticket pricing once again consists of a Youth (14 and younger) and a Senior (60 and over) discount in three price levels. Prices for the 2005 season ticket packages are $198 adult ($162 youth/senior) for Endzone, $252 adult ($198 youth/senior) for East Sideline, $450 ($396 youth/senior) for West Sideline and $720 for VIP seats. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Earthquakes Ticket Office at 100 North Almaden Ave., by logging onto www.sjearthquakes.com or by contacting the Earthquakes Ticket Office at (408) 985-GOAL.
