The San Jose Earthquakes welcomed back veteran Jamaican midfielder Khari Stephenson for his second stint with the club on Tuesday, releasing Honduran midfielder Walter Martínez to open up a roster spot.
The signing is the second in as many days for the Earthquakes, who added Portuguese winger Yannick Djaló on Monday. Neither player is available for Tuesday night's CONCACAF Champions League game against Toluca (10 pm ET, Fox Sports 2, Univision Deportes), but both may be added to San Jose's roster for future CCL games.
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Stephenson, 33, will be competing in his seventh MLS season and his fourth with San Jose; he also played for the Earthquakes from 2010-12 before playing for Real Salt Lake last season. He had trained with D.C. United in preseason before joining San Jose.
Known for possessing one of the league's hardest shots, Stephenson is capable of playing any midfield position and has also played up front. He has made 26 appearances for the Jamaican national team but none since 2011.
A graduate of Williams College, Stephenson began his MLS career with the Kansas City Wizards in 2004-05 before playing five years in Scandinavia. His best MLS season came in 2011, when he produced five goals and four assists while making 31 appearances for the Earthquakes. Stephenson was also part of San Jose’s Supporters’ Shield championship team in 2012, appearing in 27 games.
Martinez, 31, scored two goals and had two assists in 15 appearances for the Earthquakes after signing last March.
