Quakes Academy Roundup
It has been a busy and successful season for the San Jose Earthquakes Academy programs, and in the past few weeks, Academy coaches and players alike have been recognized for their performances and achievements. As it is now the offseason, preparations for the upcoming 2018-19 season are in full swing, and some changes are in store. In this roundup, we address some of the notable achievements, coaches with new licenses and an upcoming move in the youth space.
Paul Holocher to Pursue New Career Opportunity with the Houston Dynamo
Quakes Academy director of formation Paul Holocher will move on from the Quakes Academy, having accepted a position as the Academy director for the Houston Dynamo. Holocher, whose wife is from Houston, joined the Quakes Boys’ Academy in 2015 as the head coach of the U-16s and U-18s, and became the director of formation in 2017, focusing on youth development and cultivating the pipeline to the senior academy squads.
“We thank Paul for his time with the Quakes Academy,” said Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli. “His dedication to youth development will certainly be missed, but we are happy that with this new role he will be closer to family. He put in countless hours to improve our Academy and develop top talent through our system, and he has left his mark on the club.”
“I want to thank the San Jose Earthquakes for the opportunity to work inside the Quakes Academy during these last three years,” said Holocher. “I’ve had so many great experiences with the players, fellow coaches and the many good people within the organization. Most recently, working closely with the younger formation ages was a real joy. Although I am incredibly excited about the new opportunity before me in Houston, I will always hold San Jose dear to my heart as it is a club that I love very much.”
Andres Deza Named Western Conference Development Academy Coach of the Year
Quakes Girls’ Academy Director Andres Deza was named the Western Conference Coach of the Year after the Girls’ Academy’s inaugural season.
According to U.S. Soccer, the Coach of the Year award is presented to team leaders that best exemplify the U.S. Soccer key qualities of a coach, including, but are not limited to, the following: the ability to read, analyze and understand the game; create a game-like, reality-based training environment; demonstrate a holistic approach; serve as a role model; show genuine interest in players; and actively listen and communicate openly.
Deza led the Quakes Girls’ Academy U-17 squad to a second-place finish in the Western Conference with 73 points and an 24-6-1 record. The team also reached the semifinal of the Girls' U-17 Academy Championships where they fell 1-0 to the Nationals of Pontiac, Mich. after a stoppage-time goal.
Sophie Jones Named Western Conference U-17 Player of the Year
Quakes Girls’ Academy midfielder Sophie Jones was named Player of the Year in the Western Conference at the U-17 level after helping the Quakes U-17 Girls’ Academy team make it to the semifinals in the Academy Championships. Jones made 19 starts and scored four goals in the 2017-18 season, and helped the Quakes finished second in the Western Conference. She also received numerous callups to the U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team, helping the USA win the 2018 Concacaf Women’s U-17 Championship and qualify for the U-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay this November.
Multiple Quakes on the Western Conference U-17 Best XI
Jones was also named to the Western Conference Best XI along with three of her teammates from the U-17 squad: defender Andrea Kitahata, forward Abigail Borchers and forward Mia Fontana.
Kitahata made 15 starts in 17 appearances for the Quakes Girls’ Academy last season, scoring five goals. Kitahata was also called up the U.S. U-15 Girls’ National Team multiple times during the 2017-18 season.
Borchers started and played in 28 games, scoring 25 goals for the Quakes Girls’ U-17 squad, while Fontana made 31 starts and scored 31 goals.
U-17 West Conference Best XI
GOALKEEPER: Rachel Black (SC del Sol).
DEFENDERS: Kellie Pagador (Placer United Soccer Club), Andrea Kitahata (San Jose Earthquakes), Smith Hunter (Reign Academy), Sally Menti (Crossfire Premier).
MIDFIELDERS: Sophie Jones (San Jose Earthquakes), Zoe Burns (Crossfire Premier), Jaelyn Eisenhart (LAFC Slammers).
FORWARDS: Simone Jackson (LAFC Slammers), Abigail Borchers (San Jose Earthquakes), Mia Fontana (San Jose Earthquakes).
JJ Foe-Nuphaus Named to U-19 Western Conference Best XI
On the Quakes Boys’ Academy side, defender Jean-Jullien “JJ” Foe-Nuphaus was named to the Western Conference Best XI at the U-19 level. Foe-Nupahus started and played in 20 games in the 2018-19 academy season, scoring two goals, will attend University of California Berkeley.
U-19 West Conference Best XI
GOALKEEPER: Sam Fowler (Seattle Sounders FC)
DEFENDERS: Glademir Mendoza (Real Salt Lake), Khai Brisco (Seattle Sounders FC), Ethan Bartlow (Crossfire Premier), Jean-Julien Foe Nuphaus (San Jose Earthquakes)
MIDFIELDERS: Alex Mendez (LA Galaxy), Richard Ledezma (Real Salt Lake), Frankie Amaya (Pateadores)
FORWARDS: Sebastian Soto (Real Salt Lake), Kyle Holcomb (Pateadores), Declan McGlynn (Crossfire Premier)
Academy Coaches Earn New Licenses
Quakes Boys’ Academy U-19 coach Eder Quintanilla received his Elite Formation Coaching License as part of Major League Soccer’s partnership with the French Football Federation.
Mark Christie, the U-12 Boys’ Academy head coach, received his UEFA A license, qualifying Christie to coach youth teams up to age 18, reserve teams and men's professional second-tier clubs.
