The hole at right back is now filled. Hopefully.
The San Jose Earthquakes announced on Tuesday that the club has inked Uruguayan right back Pablo Pintos, pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and international transfer certificate
Pintos, 27, joins San Jose from Defensor Sporting of Uruguay's first division. The 6-foot defender has played in Argentina, Spain and Turkey in addition to his home country, and has seen action in Europa League as well as the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.
"We are very happy to sign a player of Pablo's quality," said Earthquakes general manager John Doyle in a press release. "He is an athletic right back who should help us now and in the future."
Right back has been a problem spot for the Quakes all year. After sending stalwart Steven Beitashour to Vancouver in the offseason, San Jose have had a veritable conveyor belt of journeymen at the spot. German Andreas Gorlitz got the first crack at it, but an ACL tear ended his season in the spring. Next up was MLS veteran Brandon Barklage, who has been in-and-out of the lineup with injuries of his own.
- For complete coverage visit SJEarthquakes.com
Fellow MLS vet Ty Hardin has also done time at right back, though he’s a natural central defender. And of late it’s been left back Shaun Francis getting the lion’s share of minutes.
Pintos, who began his career with Defensor Sporting in 2006, should be an upgrade. He helped them to three championships during his time with the club, the 2007 Apertura, 2008 Uruguayan Championship and 2009 Clausura. At his next stop – San Lorenzo de Almagro of Argentina's top division – he recorded four goals and five assists in 39 appearances en route to the quarters of the Copa Sudamericana.
Following the 2010 Argentinean Torneo Final, Pintos was transferred to Spanish side Getafe CF, where he made six La Liga appearances. Pintos also started and went the distance against VfB Stuttgart and BSC Young Boys in Europa League group matches and played in three Copa del Rey games. In 2012, he returned to Defensor Sporting on loan and appeared in 18 games.
Pintos spent one season with Getafe before joining Kasimpasa of Turkey's first division. He played in eight matches for Kasimpasa and then returned to Argentina to suit up for CD Tigre on loan in 2013. After the loan stint, Pintos moved back to Defensor Sporting for the 2013-14 campaign.
Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
