SAN JOSE - The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club has signed forward Dwayne De Rosario to a new contract. The Canadian international returns to the club for a fifth season after helping the Quakes win two MLS Cup titles in his four-year career. In keeping with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"I am definitely pleased to be back in San Jose," said De Rosario. "I have enjoyed my four years here and I am looking forward to trying to help this team go for another championship this season."
De Rosario, 26, has spent four seasons with the Earthquakes, scoring 18 goals and notching 18 assists from 2001-2004. Last season, he became the first Quakes player to win the Sierra Mist MLS Goal of the Year for his stunning strike against D.C. United on August 7. He scored five goals for San Jose in 2004.
"Dwayne has been a big part of San Jose's success the past four seasons," said Earthquakes head coach Dominic Kinnear. "He is a strong goal scorer and I believe that he will add a lot to our attack this year."
The Scarborough, Ontario native is best remembered for scoring the winning goal for San Jose in overtime of the 2001 MLS Cup Final. After entering against the Los Angeles Galaxy in the 85th minute, he scored the game-winner six minutes into overtime to secure MLS Cup MVP honors in his first MLS season.
Following a strong 2002 season where he scored four goals and finished with eight assists, De Rosario had a memorable 2003. After missing training camp with a broken bone in his foot, he then tore the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in his right knee just a week before the season-opener. Despite projections that he would be lost for the season, De Rosario made a triumphant return to the field on August 8 and would go on to score four goals and notch three assists in just 11 appearances in the regular season. He would also net the second hat trick in Earthquakes team history on September 27 with three goals against FC Dallas (then known as the Dallas Burn).
He is currently in the top ten in three separate categories in Quakes club history, placing fifth in points (54), sixth in goals (18) and eighth in assists (18).
With the Canadian national team, he has made 28 appearances and scored seven goals in his career. In 2004, he scored in three World Cup qualifying matches while appearing in 10 total matches. He made his national team debut in 1998 against Macedonia.
"The name Dwayne De Rosario has become synonymous with world-class dribbling flair and awe-inspiring goals," said Earthquakes President & General Manager Alexi Lalas. "I'm so pleased that Dwayne will once again be entertaining the crowds on Saturday nights at Spartan Stadium."
