MLS teams are midway through the preseason and while some San Jose Earthquakes players are making a name for themselves, others may not see opening day at Avaya Stadium. The following preliminary ratings are based upon player performances accumulated during the 2016 preseason matches, excluding the U-18 kickoff match.
Stock is Rising
- David Bingham (GK) – A solid 45 minutes versus Seongnam and a goal allowed over 90 against a relentless L.A. Galaxy in a match which he played the hero more than once. He also put in work with the USMNT to the tune of a 1-0 win versus Canada.
- Cordell Cato (RB/RW) – In five appearances, he only saw one goal scored against him during his shifts (L.A. Galaxy). Not bad for a guy that may be replacing Marvell Wynne at right-back.
- Kip Colvey (RB) – The Quakes 3rd round pick. He has played in all five preseason matches and has yet to allow a run-of-play goal.
- Andres Imperiale (CB) – Has helped maintain a clean-sheet in four appearances; very solid performances for a defender.
- JJ Koval (CB) – JJ moved to center-back this year, and the experiment seems to be working. Like Imperiale, he has yet to see a goal scored while he is on the pitch.
- Bryan Meredith (GK) – The only Quakes goalie not to surrender a goal this preseason, including blocking a penalty kick versus Houston. He will continue his role as Bingham’s back-up.
- Mark Sherrod (F) – Splitting time between first-team and second-team, Sherrod scored the loan Quakes goal of the preseason versus Seongnam. He also has been a threat to score in every outing.
- Tommy Thompson (M/F) – Part of the second-team rotation that has produced for the Quakes. He assisted on Sherrod’s goal, scored his own versus Stompers FC, and has yet to see a goal scored against him on the pitch, although he did surrender a PK versus Houston and was bailed out by GK Bryan Meredith.
No Change
- Chad Barrett (F) – Had a goal and four assists versus Stompers, yet also has been part of squads which have seen three goals scored against them (two run-of-play, one PK). However, his speed and ability to distribute have him seeing more minutes than his positional competitor Adam Jahn.
- Shea Salinas (LW) – Five appearances with just one goal scored against him. Was promoted to first-team versus L.A. Galaxy in front of DP Matias Perez Garcia, and assisted on a disallowed goal versus Seongnam.
- Matheus Silva (CB) – a young player (19) that is getting minutes, but still adjusting to MLS. A lot of upside, although not quite ready to be a starter.
Stock is Falling Slightly
- Simon Dawkins (CM) – Dawkins has seen four goals scored against him in four appearances, and has yet to see his side score one. He gets some slack as he hasn’t had much playing time prior to his arrival in San Jose.
- Shaun Francis – (LB) As a defender, you don’t want to see goals scored against you, yet Francis has seen three scored against him at left-back. He is the backup to Jordan Stewart, who will start the season on the injured-reserve. Has helped create chances on offense.
- Anibal Godoy (DM) – The entire Quakes first-team has struggled, and Godoy is simply part of that squad which has yet to find their scoring chemistry. He was on the pitch for both New England goals and the Galaxy’s lone goal.
- Clarence Goodson (CB) – Goodson wins aerial duels and clears the ball effectively, but he has seen three run-of-play goals scored by MLS opponents this preseason.
- Matias Perez Garcia (CM) – Unable to produce any goals this preseason, he was on the bench versus the L.A. Galaxy and came in as a sub; a warning from Dom Kinnear?
Stock is Falling
- Quincy Amarikwa (F) – Quincy had a great arrival in San Jose, but has struggled mightily this preseason. As a starter, he’s part of the squad that has yet to produce any goals. Don’t be surprised if Mark Sherrod gets his spot as an opening day starter. Quincy is struggling to put shots on target this preseason, something which haunted him last season as well.
- Victor Bernardez (CB) – Bernardez has seen four goals scored against him, including a PK in which he drew the foul. Enough said.
- Sanna Nyassi (RW) – Had a -3 +/- rating going into the L.A. Galaxy match. He did not see any pitch time versus L.A. Galaxy; not a good sign for a midfielder who saw 28 appearances off 19 starts last season.
- Andrew Tarbell (GK) – With Meredith’s shut-out streak still intact and Tarbell’s allowance of three goals in three appearances, Tarbell’s future as the “back-up’s back-up” is practically a certainty.
- Chris Wondolowski (F) – Surprised to see a member of the 100-goal club on the “Falling” list? Don’t be. Like Amarikwa, Wondo has struggled to find that scoring touch, although he did have a disallowed goal versus Seongnam. He should get out of the scoring funk soon, but until that happens, his stock is not nearly what it could/should be.
- Marvell Wynne (RB) – three run-of-play goals allowed have Marvell on the hot-seat as a starter, especially with Colvey and Cato’s outstanding preseason performances.
Stock is Bottoming Out
- Adam Jahn (F) – Jahn scored three goals versus Stompers FC, but against real competition he struggles. He has only played a full half once this preseason and was the last forward used versus the L.A. Galaxy. With Barrett and Sherrod making a strong case for their inclusion on the 2016 roster, don’t be surprised if Jahn is playing in Sacramento this season, or if he’s cut altogether.
- Patrick Hodan (CM) – The Quakes second-round pick/gamble, Hodan has only played 90 total minutes in three appearances and has not seen any action in two games. Barring a miracle, his tenure as an Earthquake is coming to a close.
- Steven Lenhart (F) – While technically still on the roster, he won’t be playing any more games in San Jose. The rumor is that he’s hung up his boots at just 29 due to his knee injury.
- Ty Thompson (DM) – The Quakes fourth-round SuperDraft pick, Ty has not seen many minutes in his appearances and did not see the pitch versus the Galaxy. Expect him to be cut soon.
Jury is Still Out/Injured Players
- Innocent Emeghara (F) – The Quakes highest paid player is coming off of injury and seeing his first minutes. So far, so good.
- Fatai Alashe (DM) – Injured. A possible Olympic squad member.
- Marc Pelosi (DM) – Injured. Like Alashe, Pelosi may also find himself in Rio this summer.
- Jordan Stewart (LB) – Injured. His age and oft-injured history are concerns for any coach.
The Quakes play two more preseason matches: February 20th at Sacramento Republic FC (USL) and February 27th versus New York Cosmos (NASL).
Main Photo: Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images
