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| Thursday, March 21, 2002 14:42 EST |
San Jose Earthquakes: 2002 Outlook
[ESPN.com news services]
Few eyebrows would have been raised if San Jose Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop had retained his entire roster from last season's MLS Cup championship campaign. With an eye to the future, Yallop surprised many in hopes of raising something else in 2002 - a second Alan I. Rothenberg Trophy.
Landon Donovan spearheads the Quakes' potent offense. |
Of course, 20-year old superstar Landon Donovan, the leading scorer during the 2002 MLS Cup Playoffs, and Jeff Agoos, the 2002 MLS Defender of the Year, will be back at Spartan Stadium this summer. However, it's all but a forgone conclusion that both will join the U.S. National Team at the World Cup in Korea/Japan.
What many didn't foresee was that long-time San Jose star Ronald Cerritos (the club's all-time leading scorer) would be dealt to Dallas in return for Ecuadoran Ariel Graziani, while another forward, Junior Agogo, was later waived and replaced by 2001 NCAA College Player of the Year Luchi Gonzalez from Southern Methodist.
The pending absence of Donovan and Agoos won't likely bother the Earthquakes, which endured similar losses last season due to World Cup Qualifying and the FIFA World Youth Championship.
Defenders Troy Dayak, Jimmy Conrad and Wade Barrett and goalkeeper Joe Cannon all return to bolster a defense that posted the league's second-lowest goals against average (1.12) last season.
Offense shouldn't be a problem for the Quakes either, as Canadian Dwayne DeRosario, the hero of MLS Cup 2001, will battle Graziani and Donovan for playing time up front.
Midfielders Manny Lagos, Ian Russell and Richard Mulrooney combined to total 50 points last season, fueling perhaps the league's most balanced attack.
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2001 Earthquakes Leaders
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Goals
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11, Ronald Cerritos
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Assists
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10, Landon Donovan
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Points
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28, Ronald Cerritos
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GAA
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1.09 Joe Cannon
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If Yallop's subtle shakeup works out, the Quakes could rumble to their second consecutive title.
Key Additions:
Luchi Gonzalez, Devin Barclay
Key Departures:
Ronald Cerritos, Junior Agogo
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