It started with a Tweet, a subtle hint that drew mild interest from several diehard San Jose Earthquakes fans. One week later, the Quakes signed their first-ever designated player, the Brazilian playmaker Geovanni.
Now that Geovanni has signed a contract, played his first match in a Quakes uniform - a 1-0 win against in-state rival the Los Angeles Galaxy - and reunited with a former teammate and friend, let's look back at the buzz generated by San Jose's latest samba:
- “Geo is a quality player; San Jose got a good one and he’s a class act. Hope he tears it up out there!” – Jozy Altidore on Twitter
- “We want to make sure we give (coach) Frank Yallop and John (Doyle) all the ammunition we can give them consistent with our marketplace. It’s not like we’re going to have to spend $25 million. We’re not going after (David) Beckham.” – Lew Wolff
- “We’ve never really played with any playmaker of his quality.” – Frank Yallop
- “The San Jose Earthquakes may have waited until after the MLS’ midseason transfer window had closed before filling their final roster spot, but the addition of Brazilian midfielder Geovanni as the franchise’s first Designated Player might be just the thing to push the Quakes’ postseason plans wide open.” – Geoff Lepper, 8/16
- "They want to win ... They want to win now." - David Alioto on ownership and John Doyle's commitment to the Quakes, 8/15
- “Owner Lew Wolff easily could have told Doyle to get by with what he had, hoping to sneak into this year’s playoffs and putting a DP signing on the back burner until the team’s new stadium project is completed – or at least back on track. Instead, Wolff ponied up the cash and Doyle closed the deal for a player who should make a big, big difference. Game on, Quakes.” – Geoff Lepper, 8/16
- “Lots of positive reaction to the Quakes signing Geovanni from fans I’ve heard from. Should be enough to get 5-6 wins and a playoff berth.” - @robertjonas, 8/16 (Twitter)
- “I see Geovanni more as a second striker.” - @JeffreyCarlisle of Soccernet.com, 8/16 (Twitter)
- “The Quakes have scored just 10 goals in their last 12 games, and the team is hoping Geovanni’s quick, inventive style of play will be the catalyst that gets San Jose back in the playoffs for the first time since the team’s rebirth in 2008.” – Jeff Carlisle of Soccernet.com, 8/16
- “We worry more about improving the quality of the team through a designated player than finding the Tom Cruise of soccer. We’ll settle for somebody that helps us win more games. The guy can come from Omaha.” – Lew Wolff
- “This is a decent signing for San Jose. Geovanni is not a superstar and won’t bring in the audiences like Thierry Henry or maybe Rafa Marquez, but he’s not a slouch in the talent department. He should bring some attacking verve to the Earthquake attack.” – Unprofessionalfoul.com
- “Suddenly, with a win and two new players, San Jose's playoff outlook seems much less bleak than it did just four days ago. Certainly one designated player is no guarantee of post-season soccer, but being tied for the final playoff spot with a few games in hand on the teams above them in the standings sounds like a pretty good position to me.” – BayArea.sbnation.com
- “When he's taken the field in the Premier League, Geovanni's impressive ball skills and penchant to create something out of nothing have been the strongest aspects of his game.” – Goal.com
- “It could prove to make all the difference in San Jose's playoff push, as his presence will provide more attacking consistency on the field and transform the Earthquakes into a team to be reckoned with in MLS play.” – Goal.com
- “If the team can keep it tight at the back despite a growing injury list, the San Jose management might just have found the player to delight the fans and allow San Jose to make the deep playoff run the fans have been craving.” – Goal.com
- “But, even without ground being broken yet, the arrival of Geovanni as San Jose’s first designated player is a sign that the team is still moving forward.” – Centerlinesoccer.com
