You wouldn’t have guessed the San Jose Earthquakes were missing anybody when they arrived in Cancún a week and a half ago. After all, the team had 29 players, nearly its full contingent of coaches and staff, and an assortment of bags you wouldn’t believe could fit on one plane.

However, there were two pieces – two very important pieces – missing in Nick Lima and Marcos Lopez upon arrival in Mexico. The duo are the likely starters at right back and left back, respectively, and are expected to be key contributors on both sides of the ball.

Lima, 24, was signed as the Quakes’ second-ever Homegrown Player ahead of the 2017 MLS season after graduating from Cal. He finished as a finalist for the MLS Rookie of the Year award despite missing a third of the season to injury and earned his first call-up to the U.S. National Team the following January. After a solid 2018 season, he earned his second January Camp invite in as many years, where he’d be named Man of the Match in his debut international appearance against Panama. He then led the U.S. to a 2-0 win over Costa Rica at Avaya Stadium in San Jose.

Lopez, 19, signed with the Earthquakes last month after his first full season with Sporting Cristal Lima of the Peruvian first division. Capable of contributing at left back or left wing, Lopez adds some much-needed versatility and pace to the roster. He did not join the team in Cancún until now because he was representing Peru at the 2019 South American U-20 Championship. After being the youngest player at the 2017 U-20 Championship, Lopez has blossomed into one of South America’s most highly regarded teenagers, especially at a position that can be hard to find.

The duo arrived over the weekend and were thrown right into the mix on Monday morning, participating in an hour-long gym session and beach sprints under the blistering sun.

Two players who traveled with the team to Mexico– third-round SuperDraft selection Mamadi Camara and trialist Mark Hernandez – have departed for Reno, where they will likely spend the entire 2019 season.

The Earthquakes take on their USL affiliate Reno 1868 FC on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 12:15 p.m. Tickets for the contest at Greater Nevada Field in Reno are available here.