With the 2017 season officially in the books, the San Jose Earthquakes have plenty to be proud of on and off the field. A trip to the postseason for the first time in five years and a spot in the U.S. Open Cup semis for the first time since 2004 highlight the calendar year.
Let’s takes a look at how individuals on the team fared this year and how they impacted the club.
Jackson Yueill
The youngest member of the team in 2017, Jackson Yueill joined the Earthquakes by way of the MLS SuperDraft, when he was selected by San Jose with the sixth overall selection. Most experts expected Yueill to go in the top-five, but the Quakes, and general manager Jesse Fioranelli, were happy to see the UCLA Bruin fall into their lap at No. 6.
Among all players that were 19 years old or less on opening day, Yueill was one of just seven to make 10 starts and record at least 900 minutes this season, joining Montreal’s Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla, NYRB’s Tyler Adams, NYCFC’s Yangel Herrera, Seattle’s Nouou Tolo and RSL’s Danilo Acosta and Brooks Lennon.
Yueill, now 20, started 10 games in 13 total appearances for the Quakes in 2017, tallying one assist. In addition to his strong debut season in MLS, Yueill also left his mark in the U.S. Open Cup. Making his first professional start on June 14 against the SF Deltas, Yueill scored four minutes into the game what would eventually be the game-winner.
A former member of the U.S. U-20s, Yueill’s prospects in San Jose appear bright.
