According to a report on the Honduran website Diez, midfielder Marvin Chavez will not return to the San Jose Earthquakes for the 2014 season and expects to be traded to another team in MLS. (English translation available here.)

Chavez had a breakout 2012, scoring 3 goals and adding 12 assists as part of the San Jose Earthquakes Supporters' Shield season, and quickly became a fan favorite at Buck Shaw Stadium for his electrifying runs on either sideline. Statistically he regressed in 2013, notching 1 goal and 1 assist in only 15 appearances. Chavez was relegated to the bench over the last two months of the season and made only 2 appearances in 7 matches.

In the interview published by Diez, Chavez indicates that a poor relationship with the Earthquakes coaching staff was a primary reason for his decreased playing time. A consistent pick for the World Cup bound Honduras national team throughout the just concluded qualifying cycle, Chavez expressed his desire for more playing time as he tries to secure selection to the roster Los Catrachos for Brazil. Given his unhappiness with the situation in San Jose, Chavez hopes a move to another MLS side will improve his standing with the Honduras coaching staff.

Chavez was a regular starter when healthy for former Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop, but he made only 6 starts when Yallop's assistant Mark Watson took over the head coaching duties back in June. Over the course of the summer, as the Quakes made a heroic run at qualifying for the MLS playoffs, Watson saw fit to start Shea Salinas and Cordell Cato at the wings in his preferred Starting XI. By the last match of the season, a 2-1 victory over FC Dallas, Chavez did not make the 18-man roster and was not even in attendance at Buck Shaw Stadium to watch his teammates play.

While the 2012 season proved to be the high point of Chavez's time in San Jose, the flashy midfielder did give fans one memorable moment in 2013. During the Earthquakes amazing 3-2 comeback win against the LA Galaxy in the California Clasico at Stanford Stadium, Chavez had a little fun at the expense of defender A.J. DeLaGarza. With a nasty step-over move along the left sideline, "The Son of the Wind" buckled the ankles of the Galaxy defender and flashed a big smile. The moment will forever be remembered by those that were there that day.





(Hat tip to beIN Sport's Phil Schoen for bringing the Diez article to Center Line Soccer's attention.)



