From the moment head coach Frank Yallop began assembling the expansion San Jose Earthquakes, the club's most pressing need has been acquiring more frontline help. But both Yallop and general manager John Doyle insist they are going to remain patient, even as the start of the season edges closer.
At present, heading into the Carolina Challenge Cup this weekend, the Quakes roster contains only two out-and-out forwards in Gavin Glinton and Kei Kamara.
As a result, the opening weeks of training camp have seen San Jose burn through contestants faster than Donald Trump on "The Apprentice." Argentine winger Federico Arias has already come and gone, with "The Torpedo" sunk by what Doyle described as a lack of fitness. One-time Japanese international Takayuki Suzuki, as well as Swedish striker Martin Aslund have also been cast aside, despite each player scoring in friendlies against collegiate opposition.
Former Colorado Rapids forward Fabrice Noel opted to spend time with the Haitian under-23 national team rather than continue his Quakes tryout, although Yallop hinted that the door was still open, however so slightly.
"[Noel] needed a bit of a quicker answer from us," said Yallop. "He wanted to know [yes or no], and I said 'At this point, it's a no.' But I know all about him, and I like his traits. I told him to go do his thing and we'll keep tabs on him."
In light of such developments, the trialist shuttle has kept on running. Trinidad & Tobago internationals Conrad Smith and Hayden Tinto were given a run-out by Yallop last week, with Smith showing enough to accompany the side to Charleston for the week-long Carolina Challenge Cup, while Tinto was sent home. And Matt Taylor, formerly of Chivas USA, has managed to stick around for the entire duration of training camp, although a roster spot is not guaranteed.
So where does that leave the Quakes with less than three weeks to go until their April 3 opener against Los Angeles? In the kind of bind that Yallop, despite his public pronouncements, had hoped to avoid. The March 3 waiver draft produced nothing in the form of suitable options. Another trade is possible, but Yallop admitted that the search for MLS forwards had "gone cold," even though he has been burning the phone lines to agents and other MLS teams every day.
Doyle stated that the team still has plenty of funds available -- although he wouldn't divulge how much -- and that possible scouting trips to England and Costa Rica may yet take place. But unless Yallop can procure an overseas player who is out of contract, the June timeframe is the earliest that such an acquisition would be available to play. Given such options, Yallop insists he won't be rushed.
"I'm not going to give up a draft pick for a player I might cut later," said Yallop. "If I'm really sure of a player, I'll go get him. I want to make sure we bring the right guys in. With each of the five trades we've made, we've made our team better."
Jeff Carlisle is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
