San Jose Earthquakes coach Frank Yallop said before the MLS SuperDraft that he wanted someone who could contribute immediately. With his speed and ability to play wide, UC Santa Barbara junior Sam Garza fit that bill.
The Quakes used the sixth overall selection to take Garza, a 22-year-old member of Generation adidas who totaled 21 goals and 14 assists in three collegiate seasons split between the University of Denver and the Gauchos.
In the second round, San Jose picked up Washington midfielder Jacob Hustedt in the No. 25 slot and nabbed South Florida goalkeeper Chris Blais at No. 33.
“We targeted Sam right before we started [the draft],” Yallop told MLSsoccer.com at the conclusion of Thursday's SuperDraft. “We thought he’d be there for us, so we’re happy. It was a good haul.”
Garza’s quickness made him attractive to the Quakes, who were left all too often last season without a top gear. And it didn’t hurt that Garza, who worked mostly on the wings in 2011 for UCSB, used one of Yallop’s favorite words in describing himself.
“The good thing is, I’m versatile,” said Garza, who grew up as a forward and primarily played there during his sophomore year for the Gauchos. “I think maybe at the next level, my best position will be out wide, but I love to play up top.”
Right midfield for the Quakes is presumably occupied by Honduran international Marvin Chávez, recently acquired from FC Dallas. San Jose’s left wing, however, is in flux; Simon Dawkins, who consistently started there in the final weeks of last season, is not guaranteed to return on another loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur, and even if he comes back, he’s more of a central midfielder by nature.
San Jose picked up Shea Salinas from Vancouver to help address the wing situation, but he isn’t considered an automatic selection, opening the door for Garza.
“He’s very quick and very smooth on the ball,” Yallop said of Garza. “He’s a good assist guy and a good finisher when he gets in.”
Hustedt was a darkhorse in most mock drafts, but impressed the club during their private combine sessions. The Quakes especially likes his ability to attack defenders one-on-one, another thing the squad lacked last year.
Blais, meanwhile, will get a chance to replace third-string 'keeper Andrew Weber, whose option for 2012 was declined.
Geoff Lepper covers the Earthquakes for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached at sanjosequakes@gmail.com.
<strong>Year</strong> |
<strong>School</strong> |
<strong>GP</strong> |
<strong>GS</strong> |
<strong>Goals</strong> |
<strong>Assists</strong> |
2011 |
UC Santa Barbara |
23 |
22 |
8 |
4 |
2010 |
UC Santa Barbara |
21 |
19 |
9 |
6 |
2008 |
Denver |
19 |
14 |
4 |
4 |
Sam Garza
Status: Generation adidas
Position: Forward
Height: 5-11
Weight: 160
Born: October 17, 1989 in Carrollton, Texas
Hometown: Highland Village, Texas
Last Club: UC Santa Barbara
Citizenship: USA
College: 2011: NCAA Division I All-Far West Second Team selection by the NSCAA … All-Big West Conference First Team honoree … Started 22 of 23 games played, producing eight goals and four assists for 20 total points, second-most on the team … Three of his goals were of the game-winning variety … Converted both of his penalty kick opportunities and credited with 80 shots on the year, 33 of them on frame … Helped lead the Gauchos to the third round of the NCAA Championship, where they lost at Creighton, 2-1 (11/27) … Chosen to MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List prior to his junior season … 2010: Big West Co-Offensive Player of the Year, All-Big West First Team, NSCAA Division I Far West All-Region First Team and TopDrawerSoccer.com Third Team as a sophomore … 2008: Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Newcomer of the Year and Second Team All-MPSF pick as a freshman at Denver University before transferring and sitting out a year.
Personal: Parents are Israel and Sue Garza … Has one older sister, Libby Rodriguez … Samuel Cruz Garza was born on October 17, 1989, in Carrollton, Texas, also the birth place of the San Jose Earthquakes’ top draft pick of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft and fellow Texas native, Anthony Ampaipitakwong.
