The San Jose Earthquakes have announced the team has acquired forward Kei Kamara from the Columbus Crew and goalkeeper Preston Burpo from Chivas USA. The Earthquakes traded defender Brian Carroll to the Crew for Kamara and traded the club's fourth-round pick in the upcoming 2008 MLS Super Draft to Chivas USA in exchange for Burpo.
Kamara appeared in 17 games in 2007 and scored two goals. In 2006 Kamara appeared in 19 games as a rookie, starting nine of them. He also scored in his MLS debut on April 1, 2006. Kamara appeared in one US Open Cup match entering the 2007 season.
Kamara was a member of the Generation adidas Euro Tour squad that played three games in England in December 2006. He appeared in all three games and scored a goal in 3-0 win over the Watford reserves.
Burpo played three games for Chivas USA in 2007. He joined Chivas USA on March 17, 2006 from USL Division 1 club Seattle Sounders. In 2006 Burpo started 19 regular season games for Chivas USA.
Before joining Chivas USA, he played for the Seattle Sounders for nine years. In 2005 Burpo was the Sounder's leader in several goalkeeper statistics, including games played (143), saves (631) and minutes (12,846) and has a career GAA of 1.19. Recording 20 shutouts from 2004-2005, Burpo helped the Sounders capture the 2004 A-League Western Conference Championship and the USL First Division Championship in 2005.
The San Jose Earthquakes are a Major League Soccer expansion franchise and will begin playing in April of 2008. Season ticket deposits for the 2008 Earthquakes season are on sale and can be purchased by calling (408) 556-7700 or online at sjearthquakes.com.
