CHIGWELL, England – He may have only been at the club for a little more than three weeks, but David Bingham is already finding his feet with the San Jose Earthquakes. That’s thanks to his new mentor: Jon Busch.
Bingham joined the Quakes last month following a weighted lottery for his services upon finishing his training spell with EPL side Fulham, and the Bay Area native was fortunate enough to stay local.
But the University of California 2010 NSCAA All-American has also been fortunate to arrive at a club with one of the most experienced ‘keepers in the league between the sticks.
“It’s great for a young goalie to be with someone like him,” Bingham told MLSsoccer.com on Wednesday. “Some older guys don’t like the younger ones and it’s hard getting stuck with them, but he has been great with me.”
For his part, Busch is excited with San Jose’s new arrival and sees a youngster with a bright future in the game.
“He is a good young kid with a lot of potential,” Busch told MLSsoccer.com of his new understudy, “but he has got some learning to do.”
This isn’t the first time Busch has found himself taking a fledgling young star under his wing. The New York native also helped develop Sean Johnson during his time with the Chicago Fire and still speaks to the newly capped US international every week.
Busch says he’ll take the same role with Bingham, and the 21-year-old is happy for the help.
“He has been in the league for years and likes mentoring guys,” Bingham said, adding, “He is really good with all of us young guys,” and not just the ‘keepers.
The youngster kept a clean sheet for 45 minutes of a 3-0 San Jose victory over third-division Colchester United on Wednesday as the Quakes continue their preseason trip to the grounds of partner club Tottenham Hotspur.
