NEWS: Earthquakes Announce Roster Moves Ahead of 2020 MLS Season

2019 - Avaya Stadium - web photo

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club has exercised 2020 contract options on three players: goalkeeper Matt Bersano; defender Paul Marie; and midfielder Jackson Yueill.


The Earthquakes will not exercise options on three players: defenders Francois Affolter, Jimmy Ockford and Kevin Partida.


The following players held guaranteed contracts for the 2020 season: goalkeepers JT Marcinkowski and Andrew Tarbell; defenders Jacob Akanyirige, Guram Kashia, Nick Lima and Marcos Lopez; midfielders Magnus Eriksson, Luis Felipe, Carlos Fierro, Siad Haji and Vako; and forwards Cade Cowell, Danny Hoesen and Andy Rios.


Eric Calvillo, Gilbert Fuentes, Florian Jungwirth, Shea Salinas, Tommy Thompson, Daniel Vega and Chris Wondolowski either received new contracts or had their 2020 options automatically vest by reaching certain performance thresholds during the 2019 season.


Defender Harold Cummings is out of contract following the 2019 season and the season-long loan of midfielder Cristian Espinoza from Spain’s Villarreal CF has expired. Discussions for a permanent transfer of Espinoza are ongoing.


Midfielder Judson, who spent the 2019 season on loan from Brazil’s Tombense, was acquired on a permanent transfer and signed to a multi-year contract. The Quakes signed goalkeeper Emi Ochoa and defender Casey Walls to Homegrown Player contracts this offseason. San Jose also traded midfielder Anibal Godoy to Nashville SC for $650,000 of General Allocation Money, effective Jan. 1, 2020.


The San Jose Earthquakes current roster heading into 2020, listed alphabetically by position, is below:

Goalkeepers (5): Matt Bersano, JT Marcinkowski (HG), Emi Ochoa (HG), Andrew Tarbell, Daniel Vega


Defenders (8): Jacob Akanyirige (HG), Florian Jungwirth, Guram Kashia, Nick Lima (HG), Marcos Lopez, Paul Marie, Tommy Thompson (HG), Casey Walls (HG)


Midfielders (10): Eric Calvillo, Magnus Eriksson, Luis Felipe, Carlos Fierro, Gilbert Fuentes (HG), Siad Haji, Judson, Vako, Shea Salinas, Jackson Yueill


Forwards (4): Cade Cowell (HG), Danny Hoesen, Andy Rios, Chris Wondolowski


All out-of-contract players are eligible for either the End-of-Year Waivers Process, Re-Entry Process, or Free Agency depending on age and service time within the league.


Free Agency begins at noon PT on Monday, Nov. 25. Free Agency eligible players are out-of-contract and option-declined players who are at least 28 years old and who have completed a minimum of eight service years.


The End-of-Year Waivers process is conducted on Monday, Nov. 25 at noon PT. It will be held in reverse order of 2019 season finish, taking into account postseason performance. Per the Expansion Priority Draft, Nashville SC will have the 25th pick and Inter Miami CF will have the final selection in each round. Eligible for selection are players who do not meet the minimum requirements for Re-Entry Process or Free Agency.


Stage One of the Re-Entry Process will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at noon PT and Stage Two of the Re-Entry Process will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at noon PT. The Re-Entry Process is conducted in reverse order of 2019 season finish, taking into account postseason performance. Per the Expansion Priority Draft, Nashville SC will have the 25th pick and Inter Miami CF will have the final selection in each round.


Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – Earthquakes will exercise 2020 contract options on GK Matt Bersano, D Paul Marie and M Jackson Yueill. Earthquakes will not exercise 2020 contract options on D Francois Affolter, D Jimmy Ockford and D Kevin Partida.