SAN JOSE, Calif. - The Earthquakes Training Facility hosted a trio of international trialists on Wednesday, including Colombian attacking midfielder Tressor Moreno and Japanese midfielders Mitsuo Ogasawara and Masashi Motoyama.
Mitsuo Ogasawara appeared in two World Cups
for Japan (Photo: Hiroki Watanabe)
Ogasawara and Motoyama have been in camp since Monday, competing in short-field drills in their first day of training and a full-field scrimmage on Tuesday. Both are capped by the Japanese National Team, with Ogasawara seeing playing time in both the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. The duo played with Kashima Antlers in 2010 and will be on trial through the remainder of the week.
Moreno has international experience with his native Colombia. The 33-year-old playmaker's career has included stints in Colombia, France, Brazil, Chile and Mexico. He spent four years with Mexican club San Luis where he helped lead Los Potosinos to berths in the 2008 Copa Subamericana and 2009 Copa Libertadores.
Also joining camp on Monday was heralded offseason acquisition Victor Bernardez. The Honduran has been a full participant in drills during his first three days with the club.
Internationals aside, San Jose's ranks further swelled this week with the arrival of Supplemental Draft picks Cesar Diaz Pizarro (UC Riverside), David Tiemstra (Ohio State), James Kiffe (UC Santa Barbara) and Tyler Krumpe (Loyola Marymount). The field is expected to be trimmed ahead of the club's trip to Arizona next week.
The Earthquakes will continue to train in San Jose through Friday before leaving for Tucson, Ariz. on Monday, Jan. 30. The club will continue to evaluate trialists as the preseason continues to fill out a roster ahead of MLS First Kick on March 10 at Buck Shaw Stadium (BUY TICKETS).
