The Major League Soccer season kicks off on Sunday and there are two rookies looking to make a name for themselves in San Jose. The Quakes drafted Clemson goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell with their first pick and Cal Poly fullback Kip Colvey with their third. Both players are eager to add their talent to a team with playoff aspirations.
Earthquakes Rookies Ready for 2016
Andrew Tarbell
Andrew Tarbell was the top-ranked ‘keeper in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. The Quakes were astonished to find he was still available with their eighth overall pick and brought him to San Jose.
When asked about his time in San Jose, Tarbell had nothing but positive things to say. “[San Jose]’s a great town and the program’s fantastic out here. It’s great to be part of it.”
Tarbell joins U.S. Men’s National Team veteran David Bingham and Bryan Meredith in the team’s goalkeeping squad, both of whom have been helping him adjust to soccer as a professional. “They are fantastic. They have been really helpful to me . . . To see what they do and pick up what they’re doing has been really great.”
The challenge for most rookies is adjusting to the higher level of play among seasoned professionals. Tarbell reflected on how the game has changed at the professional level. “It’s a quicker, stronger, faster game. Everything is sharper. I need to be stronger, quicker, more consistent.”
Andrew’s season goals are simple. “I want to do my best and help the team in any way possible” as he continues to develop as a professional.
Tarbell is in competition with Bryan Meredith for the back-up position to David Bingham. Quakes fans will know on Sunday who Dom has selected to fill that position.
Kip Colvey
The San Jose Earthquakes officially welcomed fullback Kip Colvey to the team today. Colvey was the third Cal Poly Mustang drafted in 2016 draft, and a third-round selection by the San Jose Earthquakes.
Colvey joins an established back-line for San Jose, which ranked third in goals-allowed and had a the longest MLS shut-out streak of 2015 at 455 minutes.
As a rookie, Colvey understands that he has some growth ahead of him. “There’s no room for errors here. If you make a mistake, you’ll get punished . . . Right now I’m training as hard as I can.”
Aside from being a fullback that can play on both the left and right sides of the field, Colvey is comfortable on the attack as well, having played in midfield growing up. “Looking at the best fullbacks in the world like Jordi Alba and Dani Alves, it’s important to get on the attack. I try to model them.”
Last season midfielder Cordell Cato was used as stop-gap fullback when both Stewart and Francis were injured. Colvey’s arrival solves that problem.
Colvey could see minutes off the bench this season, replacing either starting left-back Shaun Francis or right-back Marvell Wynne.
