EARTHQUAKES NOTES

Snow to Fall in San Jose this Saturday at Avaya Stadium

The holidays will hit San Jose in full force this Saturday, Dec.10, as the San Jose Earthquakes will host the first-ever Winterfest at Avaya Stadium. The holiday-themed festival will run from noon through 5 p.m. and will feature more than 10 tons of snow and holiday-related activities ahead of a viewing party for MLS Cup 2016. General admission to Winterfest is free, although new and gently used toys or canned goods are a suggested donation upon entry as the Quakes are hosting a toy drive ahead of and during Winterfest.

Earthquakes Announce Roster Moves Ahead of 2017 Season

The San Jose Earthquakes have exercised 2017 contract options on six players: goalkeeper David Bingham, defenders Victor Bernardez, Kip Colvey and Andres Imperiale, and midfielders Fatai Alashe and Matheus Silva.

The Earthquakes will not exercise options on nine players, including goalkeeper Bryan Meredith, defender Clarence Goodson, midfielders Marc Pelosi and Tommy Thompson, and forwards Chad Barrett, Henok Goitom, Innocent, Steven Lenhart and Mark Sherrod.

In addition, the following players are under contract for the 2017 season: goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell, defender Shaun Francis, midfielders Cordell Cato, Darwin Ceren, Simon Dawkins, Anibal Godoy and Shea Salinas, and forwards Quincy Amarikwa and Chris Wondolowski.

Earthquakes to Host High School Soccer Series at Avaya Stadium

The San Jose Earthquakes will host their first annual Earthquakes High School Soccer Series, presented by Valley Health Plan, starting Monday, Dec. 5 and extending through Saturday, Dec. 17 at Avaya Stadium. Men’s and women’s teams from 17 local high schools in the Bay Area will compete in the 12-game series on the field that serves as the home of the San Jose Earthquakes.

High schools participating include Cal High, Carlmont, College Park, Cristo Rey, De La Salle, Del Mar, Evergreen Valley, Heritage, Leigh, Los Gatos, Lynbrook, Monte Vista, Oak Grove, Overfelt, San Ramon Valley, St. Francis High School Salesian College Preparatory and St. Ignatius. The schools will compete in fully produced games that will include a national anthem performance, school logos on the video boards, ball kids and starting XI team photos. The event and parking is free for fans.

EARTHQUAKES IN THE COMMUNITY

Wender Weis Foundation for Children presents Holiday Heroes

Who: Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski and mascot ‘Q’

What: An evening of holiday joy and fun for San Francisco Bay Area families and children in need

Where: AT&T Park

When: Monday, Dec. 5

Shop with a Cop Silicon Valley

Who: Earthquakes mascot ‘Q’

What: Joining local law enforcement to help underserved kids with a holiday shopping spree

Where: Target on Coleman Ave

When: Thursday, Dec. 8

Earthquakes Winterfest

Who: Earthquakes midfielder Fatai Alashe, front office members

What: First ever Winterfest, a holiday themed winter festival

Where: Avaya Stadium

When: Saturday, Dec. 10 from 12 – 5 p.m.

IN THE NEWS

University of Southern California Win NCAA College Cup at Avaya Stadium

The University of Southern California won the NCAA College Cup on Dec. 4 at Avaya Stadium with a 3-1 victory against West Virginia University. The victory marked the second NCAA title in USC’s women’s soccer history. USC scored in the second minute of the game with a header from Morgan Andrews. WVU equalized the match in the 66th minute with a goal from Ashley Lawrence, but USC soon regained their lead with a goal from Katie Johnson in the 75th minute. Johnson found the back of the net again in the 87th minute to finalize the score.

THIS WEEK IN EARTHQUAKES HISTORY

A look back at important moments in Earthquakes history that took place during the week of Dec. 5 – 11

Dec. 7, 1995 – San Jose Clash Announce First Technical Staff Members and Players for MLS

Ahead of the inaugural 1996 MLS season, the San Jose Clash named Laurie Calloway as head coach and Francisco Matturano Ruiz as the assistant coach. The club also announced the first two player signings.

Dec. 9, 2014 – Announced Affiliation with Burlingame Dragons FC

The Earthquakes announced that the Burlingame Dragons FC from the Premier Development League will serve as the club’s PDL affiliate.

Dec. 10, 2014 – Singed Goalkeeper David Bingham to New Contract

The Earthquakes signed goalkeeper David Bingham to a new contract. The Generation adidas graduate joined the club on Jan. 26, 2011 through a weighted lottery.

ACADEMY UPDATE

The Earthquakes Academy U-18 and U-16 squads competed in their last games of the year at the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch in Florida for U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy Winter Showcase.

The U-18s earned a 1-1-1 record in their three games against Shattuck-Saint Mary’s, Chicago Fire and Crew SC Academy. The U-16s went undefeated against Real Colorado, New York City FC and Orlando City SC, tying each game 1-1.

U-18s

Shattuck-Saint Mary’s 2 – San Jose Earthquakes 3

Dec. 1, 2016

Chicago Fire 1 – San Jose Earthquakes 1

Dec. 2, 2016

San Jose Earthquakes 0 – Crew SC Academy 4

Dec. 4, 2016

U-16s

San Jose Earthquakes 1 – Real Colorado 1

Dec. 2, 2016

New York City FC 1 – San Jose Earthquakes 1

Dec. 3, 2016

Orlando City SC U-16 1 – San Jose Earthquakes 1

Dec. 5, 2016

NEWS ARTICLES

San Jose Earthquakes release Tommy Thompson, Marc Pelosi and Clarence Goodson

By Ben Valentine, SportingNews.com

San Jose Earthquakes’ Pelosi, Thompson renegotiating contracts

By Elliott Almond, Mercury News

Lee Congerton one of five finalists for San Jose Earthquakes GM – sources

By Jeff Carlisle, ESPNFC.com

Report: Earthquakes eye former Sunderland exec as GM narrows to 5 finalists

By Charles Boehm, MLSSoccer.com

All White Kip Colvey signs contract extension with San Jose Earthquakes

By Staff, Stuff.co.nz

Russell excited to be part of expansion Reno 1868 FC

By Staff, Reno Gazette-Journal

Russell Ready to Lead Reno into Inaugural Season

By Nicholas Murray, USLSoccer.com

What new MLS players may Bruce Arena bring to the USMNT?

By Douglas Zimmerman, SFGate.com

Could NCAA College Cup help lead to women’s pro soccer in San Jose?

By Elliott Almond, Mercury News

Southern California wins NCAA women's soccer title

By Staff, Associated Press

Women's College Cup: USC stuns West Virginia

By Paul Kennedy, Soccer America

Early USC goal sets tone in title game

By Ray Hacke, The Dominion Post

USC wins women’s College Cup

By Elliott Almond, Mercury News

Mountaineers struggle to find back of the net in title game

By Ray Hacke, The Dominion Post

Historic Season Ends in College Cup Final

By Charlie Healy, MSNSportsNet.com