Three members of the San Jose Earthquakes have been named to TopDrawerSoccer’s top 50 MLS prospects list for 2018. Read what they had to say about the trio of players below. The full list can be found here.
47. Jacob Akanyirige – Defender – San Jose Earthquakes
DOB: 12/30/2001 | HT: 5-11 | WT: 167
Part of San Jose’s Homegrown signing flurry this offseason, Akanyirige is too old for the next U.S. U17 MNT cycle, though the defender did earn a call-up to the U.S. youth summit earlier this year. The 16-year-old central defender is likely to play the bulk of his minutes in 2018 with the San Jose Academy or with USL affiliate Reno 1868 FC. Barring a huge shock, he is a long way from contributing to SJ’s first team, but is a prospect to keep an eye on down the road given the physical demands of central defense. Perhaps a U.S. Open Cup start could be in his future this year, though that seems like his ceiling in terms of playing time with the Earthquakes.
22. J.T. Marcinkowski – Goalkeeper – San Jose Earthquakes
DOB: 5/9/1997 | HT: 6-1 | WT: 185
One of college soccer’s best goalkeepers during his three seasons at Georgetown, Marcinkowski is heading back to his native San Jose seeking to prove himself at another level. The backup to Jonathan Klinsmann on the U.S. U20 World Cup squad in 2017, Marcinkowski is an elite shot-stopper who is tremendous with his distribution. The knock on him is whether or not he has the height to be elite at the professional level. Listed at 6-foot-1, his height held him back yet, though he’s more likely to start this season on loan with San Jose’s USL affiliate, Reno FC.
18. Gilbert Fuentes – Midfielder – San Jose Earthquakes
DOB: 2/21/2002 | HT: 5-6 | WT: 140
The progression of Fuentes, along with the raft of 15-year-old players that MLS teams have signed to Homegrown deals, is going to be a story to watch both in 2018 and beyond. Fuentes is a creative, No. 10-type attacking midfield that’s looked fantastic for the Earthquakes in Academy games. Signed by super-agent Rob Moore, Fuentes seems likely to get minutes between the Academy and USL side Reno 1868 FC this upcoming season. Fantastic in tight spaces and great with the ball, he’s another litmus test in the case of what MLS franchises can actually do when it comes to fostering and developing young attacking talent.
