SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes announced Friday that the team has signed midfielder Brandon McDonald to a developmental contract. He played for the Los Angeles Galaxy last season. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The 6-1 midfielder returns to the Bay Area, where he played his college soccer. He spent his rookie season in Los Angeles after being drafted by the team 23rd overall in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. With the Galaxy, he appeared in 16 matches, including 10 starts. He tallied one goal and one assist on the year in 2008, logging 1,036 minutes with the club.
The Glendale, Ariz. native played four years at the University of San Francisco with the Dons. He scored a total of 10 goals and notched seven assists. In his senior year, 2007, McDonald had one goal and two assists as a midfielder in 16 games. His junior year, McDonald started the first 13 games of the season before an injury cut his season short. As a sophomore he scored three goals and added two assists, and as a freshman McDonald finished second on the team scoring five goals. While at USF, McDonald also spent time playing with the San Francisco Seals and San Jose Frogs of the United Soccer League's Premier Development League.
McDonald played his high school soccer in Glendale at Cactus High School. He was an NSCAA All-American and appeared in the annual All-American game as a senior. He played his club soccer with the Sereno Golden Eagles alongside fellow MLS players, Robbie Findley, Rob Valentino and Michael Gavin.
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) - Earthquakes sign M Brandon McDonald to developmental contract.
Brandon McDonald #14
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185 lbs
Born: January 16, 1986 in Glendale, Ariz.
Hometown: Glendale, Ariz.
Last Club: Los Angeles Galaxy
College: San Francisco
Citizenship: USA
