SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
LAST YEAR: 14-11-9 (sixth place Western Conference)
WHO’S BACK: G Jon Busch, D Clarence Goodson, D Víctor Bernárdez, M Shea Salinas, F Steven Lenhart, F Chris Wondolowski, D Sam Cronin, M Jordan Stewart.
WHO’S GONE: D Steven Beitashour, D Justin Morrow, D Ramiro Corrales, M Rafael Baca, M Marvin Chavez, M Mehdi Ballouchy, D Dan Gargan, D Nana Attakora, M Jaime Alas.
WHO’S NEW: M Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi, D Brandon Barklage, D Shaun Francis, G Bryan Meredith, M Atiba Harris, D Andreas Gorlitz.
WHAT’S AHEAD: The Earthquakes are accustomed to playing in the postseason, and that is the plan after last season’s disappointing miss. Coach Mark Watson likes the mix of youth and experience on his roster. Watson was promoted from his interim coaching position after he took over the team in June when the Earthquakes reached a mutual agreement with Frank Yallop to part ways. San Jose went 11-5-3 under Watson and just missed the playoffs based on a tiebreaker after overcoming a rough start to the season. The Earthquakes were 3-6-6 with 15 points and in second-to-last place in the Western Conference when he assumed coaching duties. … The 28-year-old Pierazzi is the Earthquakes’ prized offseason pickup after the French midfielder made the move to MLS after playing his entire eight-year career with hometown club AC Ajaccio and was the team’s longtime captain. … Wondolowski, on a nice scoring run during his appearances with the U.S. national team in a bid to make the World Cup roster, hopes to take better advantage of his scoring chances this season after getting only 11 goals - his lowest total in four years - one season after scoring a career-best 27. … Corrales, who had been the last original member of the MLS from 1996, retired after last season.
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