The San Jose Earthquakes announced today the team has acquired the rights to midfielder Ramiro Corrales from the Houston Dynamo in exchange for allocation money.
"We brought Ramiro back to the Earthquakes because he is an elite player and very versatile" stated John Doyle, General Manager of Soccer Operations of the San Jose Earthquakes. "I have known Ramiro since he was 17 and I have watched him mature and become a great professional."
During his 11 years playing professional soccer Corrales played in the MLS and the Norwegian League. He has also represented the US National team on different occasions.
"I am very happy to be back in San Jose and be playing for Frank Yallop again" stated Ramiro Corrales, midfielder for the San Jose Earthquakes. "I want to win more championships with the Earthquakes and I look forward to playing in front of my hometown fans."
Corrales has significant international experience representing the U.S. National Team. He was called into camp on January 2008. He played the full 90 minutes in an exhibition game against Sweden in Jan. 19, 2008 where the U.S. won 2-0. Corrales was also the lone Mexican-American on the U.S. team taking the field on Feb. 6, 2008 against Mexico where they tied 2-2. He also appeared with the National Team in 1996 against Peru and in 1997 he appeared twice against China. Corrales also logged most minutes for U23 National Team in 1998 and scored two goals. He started all four matches for the Olympic Team in qualifying in Hershey, Pa in April of 2000. He appeared in two matches at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where he helped the U.S. reach the semifinals. Corrales also played for the U20 National Team at the 1997 World Youth Championships in Malaysia. He was a mainstay at left back for the U-20s, appearing in all 11 games in 2000 and tallying two assists. He appeared in 15 overall U-20 games in 1997.
In 2007 he played for S.K. Brann of the Norwegian Premier League after being transferred from Hamarkameratene. While playing for S.K. Bran, Corrales help the team wins its first title in 44 years. In his three seasons in Norway, Corrales scored three goals in 57 games.
After playing in MLS for nine years, Corrales signed with the Norwegian club Hamarkameratene (Ham-Kam) in 2005 where he played as a left back. In 2006 he was named the club player of the year by local newspaper and also by the fan's official homepage.
Before leaving to play in Norway, Corrales had one of the finest seasons of his nine-year MLS career in 2004 playing for the San Jose Earthquakes. The versatile midfielder played various positions for San Jose, while appearing in 29 games and recording three MLS goals and one assist. Corrales contributed a stunning goal in the Earthquakes July 14 Open Cup win over Portland. With his strong tackling abilities and relentless pursuit of the ball, Corrales was once again an integral part of the Earthquakes offensive attack.
Corrales was part of the Earthquakes team that won the MLS Championship in 2003 for the second time in his career after beating the Chicago Fire 4-2 at The Home Depot Center. He played 26 games and started 25. Corrales also took part of the Championship Cup and played two 90 minutes games against CSD Municipal. The same year he also played 90 minutes against Seattle on the Open Cup and in an exhibition game against Chivas. Corrales was a key player that provided depth in various parts of the fields and continued to be one of the Earthquakes most dynamic and dependable players.
In 2002 Corrales enjoyed his most productive season, leading the Earthquakes in assists with nine and striking for three goals. Corrales appeared in every regular season game, racking up 2,354 minute. Corrales thrived in the midfield and filled in on defense when needed. Corrales was named the MLS Player of the Week on 8/26 for his career-high four point performance (one goal, two assists) vs. DAL on 8/2. He also played in the Champions Cup against Olimpia and Pachuca. He registered a goal vs. Pachuca on 4/2. Corrales also played in the U.S. Open Cup against Seattle. He played two exhibition games against the Minnesota Thunders and Club America where he wore the captain's armband on 9/18.
In 2001 Corrales returned to San Jose and provided excellent depth at left back, left midfield and central midfield. Corrales played in 14 games, starting 11; he scored one goal and registered one assist in 1,058 minutes. He was part of the team that won the MLS Cup defeating the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 at Crew Stadium.
In 2000 Corrales split the season between the MetroStars and the U.S. Olympic Team to play in qualifiers in May and the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia in September. Corrales played in 22 MLS games and recorded two assists in 1,460 minute. Corrales started 15 of the 22 games he played in 2000.
In 1999 Corrales started a career-high 31 games mostly on the left side of the defense. He finished second on the team in total minutes played at 2,659. He sent part of his off-season training with the U.S. Under 23 National Team in California and Algarve, Portugal.
In 1998 Corrales was drafted by the Miami Fusion in the eighth round of the 1998 MLS Expansion Draft. He appeared in three games for the MetroStars in 1998 after joining the team on June 5 in a trade for Carlos Parra. He was named to Soccer America's Team of the Week for June 1. He also trained with the full U.S. National Team prior to the '98 World Cup in France.
In 1997 Corrales started 11 of 14 games for San Jose, but did not register a point. He showed his versatility, playing several different positions, including central midfield.
In 1996 Corrales made his MLS debut on 4/28 with San Jose. He scored one goal and one assist as a member of San Jose in starting five of 11 games. He started and played 61 minutes in Game Three of playoff series against the Galaxy. Corrales also scored goal against Quan Xing on tour of China in 3-0 win.
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 now and individual tickets will go on sale Tuesday, February 19. Tickets can be purchased by calling (408) 556-7700 or online at sjearthquakes.com.
