Califf Departs Quakes
Former Earthquakes defender Danny Califf will not be back with the club after a successful 2005 season. The California native, who was out of contract with San Jose following the 2005 season, has signed with Danish Superliga team Aalborg BK. Califf joined the Quakes prior to the 2005 season in a trade with the Los Angeles Galaxy, where he had played five years. Califf enjoyed the best season of his career for San Jose, being named to the 2005 MLS Best XI squad as the Earthquakes went 13-2-5 in the 20 regular season games he played in. Califf was a leader of the stingiest defense in MLS, and contributed two goals to the Quakes in 2005. Califf joins Aalborg BK, a team that is currently in fifth place with a 7-6-7 record at the winter break of the Danish league.
Scouting Continues
Earthquakes head coach Dominic Kinnear and assistant coach John Doyle were on hand at the NCAA College Cup this past weekend in Cary, NC. Kinnear and Doyle watched Maryland beat SMU and New Mexico down Clemson in the semifinals on Friday, and then observed the talent on the field in the national championship game as Maryland defeated New Mexico 1-0 on Sunday for the title. The Quakes coaching staff will continue scouting players prior to the 2006 MLS SuperDraft when they travel to the MLS Player Combine at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. from January 12-15 to watch 54 of the top college prospects in the country.
Quakes In The Draft
The San Jose Earthquakes, who finished 2005 with the best record in the regular season, own the eighth overall selection in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft. The draft will be held Friday, January 20 in Philadelphia, Penn., in conjunction with the NSCAA Convention. The Quakes also possess the 32nd, 41st and 44th overall selections in the draft. Last season, the Quakes added current players Danny O'Rourke and Kevin Goldthwaite from the SuperDraft.
Quakes Team Up With Toys For Tots
In the spirit of the season, the Earthquakes teamed up with 94.5 KBAY, the United States Marine Corps Reserves and Toys For Tots to collect new toys for children in need this holiday season on Saturday, December 10. Earthquakes defender Craig Waibel was on hand at the "Christmas In The Park" celebration at Cesar Chavez Park in downtown San Jose to help collect donations at the drop off area and sign autographs. In the process, Waibel was interviewed by Lisa Kreisler from the KBAY morning show and passed out Earthquakes travel mugs to everyone who donated toys.
