News

The deets from The Beautiful Blog.  We will post our own takes later on that includes an update on the Roots and the so-called “Super” draft.

Also, the MLS season is scheduled to start April 3, and will conclude on November 7 with MLS Cup slated to be played on December 11.    There is no word as to when fans will return to the stands but it may appear that for the first half of the season travel will continue to be limited to the west coast.

The NPSL on twitter has announced their stable of teams to play this year–depending on current health and safety regulations.

https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2021/01/25/bay-area-soccer-sf-glens-nabi-kibunguchy-selected-in-mls-draft-sj-quakes-add-javier-eduardo-lopez-vallejo-omega-joins-nsl-pacific/

Update (1) 1/25: The conflict between the Roots founders deepens with ousted partner Benno Nagel, who is now the Technical Director with Oakland SC.

Details of the lawsuit (provided by Doug of sfgate/The Beautiful Blog) can be found here.

Update (2) 1/25: Last Wednesday the Quakes added another player to their roster by signing midfielder  Javier Eduardo “La Chofis” Lopez from Chivas to a one year loan deal with an option for a second year.  La Chofis is expected to provide offensive help vacated by the departure of Vako.  More signings are expected in the coming days.

Also the Quakes added two players from the draft with selections Thomas Williamson (Forward, UC Berkeley, 12th pick) George Asomani (Midfield, North Carolina State, 39th pick-2nd round). Local players selected in the draft include Glens alumni Nabi Kibunguchy (Defender, UC Davis, 18th pick) to Minnesota United and Logan Panchot from SF City (Midfield, Stanford, 32nd pick-2nd round) to DC United.

Update (3) 1/25: The Roots announce additions to their roster and coaching staff–from Doug at the Beautiful Blog.  Also the USL Championship is scheduled to begin anywhere between April 24 and May 15.  It looks like the Roots will be playing teams along the western states including Sacramento and San Diego while the games will begin closed door at first with fans eventually being allowed per local health and safety guidelines. Again, no word as to when Laney College will open the stadium to the public.

https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2021/01/25/oakland-roots-add-vets-jeremy-bokila-lindo-mfeka-coach-chris-malenab/

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Some hot stove news, courtesy of the Beautiful Blog.

https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2021/01/18/bay-area-soccer-oakland-roots-adds-3-more-roots-ex-prez-nagel-joins-oakland-soccer/

And for today and every day…

On this #MLKDay, let us reflect on Dr. King's message, and bear it in mind as we continue to strive for his dream and fight against racial injustice in our communities and beyond. (Photos: Dominic Payerchin) pic.twitter.com/b9nhmHgYwe

— San Francisco City FC (@SFCityFC) January 18, 2021

Dr. King’s legacy is eternal, and part of that is in our service to the community. This #MLKDay, please consider volunteering with our friends at the Mission Food Hub this week or find an event in your area at https://t.co/M0n3mL4mvm, courtesy of our partners at @WhenWeAllVote. pic.twitter.com/0aGrHlDYpQ

— San Francisco Glens SC (@SFGlensSC) January 18, 2021

Inspired by a discussion in a History class about why there were no holidays honoring African Americans, the Apollos were a group of student activists at Oakland Tech that were instrumental in getting Martin Luther King Jr. Day made a holiday in the state of California.#MLKDay pic.twitter.com/DnebdkSeRj

— Oakland Roots (@oaklandrootssc) January 18, 2021

The time is now. #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/dzn58gsEGS

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) January 18, 2021

Something from Evan Ream.

Interview: California Football Federation (evanream.com)

The Sacramento writer interviews the people behind putting together a “national” team that could compete in the world stage, but for CONIFA (Confederation of Independent Football Associations), which non-FIFA members or those nation/states with no diplomatic recognition can compete.  Besides the upstart California outfit there is the Cascadia team which fields players from Oregon, Washington state, and British Columbia in Canada.  Other members include Quebec and Kuskatan (Mexico) in what would be included as part of CONCACAF, and Hawaii which would be competing in Oceania.

Check it out–worth the read.

We mourn the loss of a soccer and culinary icon in San Francisco.  From the Broke Ass Stuart site.

El Farolito Owner Salvador ‘Don Chava’ Lopez Has Died

Get those ideas in.  If you are a member in good standing with SF City FC, here is your chance to design their 2021 scarf.  Hurry–the deadline is this Saturday January 16.

From Doug at the Beautiful Blog

https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2021/01/12/el-farolitos-legendary-owner-don-chava-salvador-lopez-passes-away/

Earlier today we mentioned about Sacramento to the NWSL – again their take on the story

https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2021/01/12/nwsl-adds-sacramento-team-oakland-san-jose-possible/

It looks like women’s professional soccer is coming to Northern California after a 12 year absence.  Instead of the Bay Area, it will be in Sacramento.  The deets are from Indomitable City Soccer, which covers primarily the Republic team.  The Sacramento NWSL team is scheduled to debut next year ahead of the 2023 SRFC inaugural season in MLS.  The newest entry will allow a rivalry with Angel City FC, the Los Angeles NWSL outfit.

Also there is no word on when the MLS Sacramento entry will debut.  The latest buzz has them missing a deadline on the expansion fee.  There is no word if this will jeopardize the franchise’s entry into the top flight.

Sacramento Republic missed #MLS expansion agreement, payment deadlines. What does this mean for NorCal #quake74 and soccer fans?

— Tectonic Takes (@TectonicTakes) January 10, 2021

NEW: Sacramento's MLS ownership group missed a deadline to submit signed expansion agreement and make a payment on $200 million expansion fee.

Update on NWSL efforts, too. They're not alone in wanting to bring a women's team to NorCal. @TheAthleticSCCR: https://t.co/bAtPdB3475

— Jeff Rueter (@jeffrueter) January 9, 2021

 

We have been on break for a few weeks, and hope that every one of you had a safe and wonderful holiday and a start to the new year.  First up, the Beautiful Blog has some Hot Stove News from the Roots and the Quakes.

https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2020/12/29/bay-area-soccer-oakland-roots-sign-2-usl-vets-quakes-re-up-wondo/

The biggest Christmas present Quakes fans can get is Chris Wondolowski returning for the 2021 season. No one is sure when the schedule will start for all the leagues but the main impetus for another Wondo season is to end his career in front of the people in the stands. When asked by the team, “I was fully committed to making 2020 the final year of my career, but I’ve reconsidered and can’t wait to join my teammates one more time as we look to bring an MLS Cup back to San Jose. The fans have consistently supported me through the ups and downs and I’d always regret not properly saying goodbye.”

While we were on break, the Quakes released their 2020 season video on December 28.  We haven’t seen it yet so we cannot comment. However, check it out.  Like their previously released video about the 1974 season it is a must for every Quakes supporter and student of the game.

As this time, the 2021 Quakes, Roots, City, Glens, 510, and NPSL/UPSL/NSL schedules have not been announced–we are still hoping for something to be announced for May and June but for now, in our view only the Quakes remain to most likely start as scheduled but closed door for at least March through June.  Stay posted for any further updates.

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The Quakes hot stove has heated up with a trade.

First up this past weekend Nick Lima has been dealt to expansion outfit Austin FC for $500k of General Allocation Money.  The team, which is scheduled to debut in 2021, is currently assembling a roster to compete in MLS.

Also, in the Austin FC expansion draft forward Danny Hoesen was picked along with Jared Stroud (midfielder New York Red Bulls), Brady Scott (goalkeeper Nashville), Joe Corona (midfielder LA Galaxy), and Kamal Miller (defender Orlando City).  Hoesen, who was out of contract and was not tendered a new one with the Quakes, joins Lima with the hope of making the team and playing for their upcoming inaugural season.

With the pick, the Quakes are exempt from having a player selected in the 2022 draft with Charlotte FC slated to debut that year.  Also an addition $50k of General Allocation Money was received for the exposed pick.

Oswaldo Alanis will be returning for the 2021 season. That deal was announced on December 9.

Once again Doug at The Beautiful Blog has the deets on the Roots and the direction they plan to take in their USL Championship debut next year.  In addition to the players who will be joining the club either from the old NISA outfit or elsewhere, the team plans to take the field in May when fans are allowed safely back into the stadium.  Also some upgrades will be coming to Laney College.  Check it out.

https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2020/12/11/oakland-roots-start-roster-build-for-2021-with-local-players/

No hot stove news for this week except Jackson Yueill and JT Marcinkowski called up for the US match against El Salvador Wednesday 4:30pm on ESPN/Unimas/TUDN.

The MLS Cup Final this weekend will have the Seattle Sounders defending their title on the road against the Columbus Crew this Saturday 5pm on Fox.

There is an interesting article from the Central Valley noting worth .  The last incarnation Fresno FC (USL Championship) ceased operations a year ago, with their rights bought and relocated to the Monterey Peninsula where that team is yet to debut. The original Fuego had established roots in the area for many years and it looks like they will be back in 2022, this time in USL League One.  This piece explains more on their impeding return.

Professional Soccer Returns to the Valley

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We are late on the update, and for now have decided to take a bit of a break.  There is the latest hot stove news from the Quakes in which Tommy Thompson, Shea Salinas, and Paul Marie have been retained while Danny Hoesen, Luis Felipe, Vako, and Guram Kashia will not be returning for 2021.

Matt Bersano and Chris Wondolowski have not been re-signed for next season and each has been offered a contract to remain with the team.

Oswaldo Alanis will return next season in the second and final year of a loan arrangement with Chivas (Liga MX)

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