Ahead of the 2014 SuperDraft, MLSsoccer.com is breaking down each team's needs and potential draft targets. Here's a look at where the San Jose Earthquakes need help:
With the departures of Rafael Baca, Justin Morrow, Steven Beitashour and Marvin Chavez, the San Jose Earthquakes will have some key players to replace.
It starts with that No. 9 overall selection, where they'll hope to get a player who can contribute right away.
SJ Earthquakes SuperDraft Picks: No. 9 (1st Rd), No. 28 (2nd Rd), No. 47 (3rd Rd), No. 66 (4th Rd), No. 74 (4th Rd)
SJ Earthquakes Depth Chart: 22 players
Goalkeepers (2): Jon Busch, David Bingham
Right Backs (2): Ty Harden, (Brandon Barklage - Unsigned Re-Entry Draft selection)
Left Backs (2): Jordan Stewart, (Shaun Francis - Unsigned Re-Entry Draft selection)
Center Backs (4): Victor Bernardez, Clarence Goodson, Jason Hernandez, Tommy Muller
Center Mids (2): Sam Cronin, Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi
Left Mids (2): Shea Salinas, Sam Garza
Right Mids (2): Cordell Cato, Atiba Harris
Attacking Mids (1): Walter Martinez
Forwards (5): Chris Wondolowski, Alan Gordon, Steven Lenhart, Adam Jahn, Mike Fucito
International slots (3 of 8 remaining): Victor Bernardez, Cordell Cato, Jordan Stewart, Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi, (Shaun Francis)
Primary Need: Central midfield depth
The Quakes were the best team in the league over the last 15 games of the season, but they were absolutely out of gas at the end of that run and missed the playoffs on goal differential. They’ll need more than two central midfielders – which is all they’ve got at the moment – to avoid a second straight season on the outside looking in.
Targets:Pedro Ribeiro (Coastal Carolina), Marlon Hairston (Louisville), J.J. Koval (Stanford)
Secondary Need: Right back
If Beitashour leaves – and it looks like he’s going to – then MLS journeyman Brandon Barklage is the de facto starter at right back for the Quakes. The easy solution would be to re-sign Beita, but if that can’t happen, then they have to find an attacking right back in Philly.
Targets:Eric Miller (Creighton), Marco Franco (UC Irvine)
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