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Does Frank Yallop Produce Patience or Bitterness?

Please note that this article is purely conjecture on how I might feel if I was one of these players. I did not speak to any of the players to know if what I wrote is how they truly feel or think. 

For the first time in years, the San Jose Earthquakes bench is deep, way deep. The fans, coaches, and front office are cheering this phenomenon; however, I question how all this depth  feels to the players who aren’t making the starting XI or even dressing in the match day XVIII. How does it affect your psyche to take pay cuts, come in on loan, or see your contemporaries from your draft class be starting and contributing and yet you are stuck in Reserve League hell. Do you stay humble and patient trusting in your coach or do you become embittered at life landing you in San Jose? Let’s take a look at a few examples from the abyss known as the Quakes roster.

Does the Netminder Mind?

In 2011, David Bingham missed out on being a part of the Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft due to being on a 10 day trial at English Premier League side Fulham FC. He signed with MLS on January 25th and was placed in a weighted lottery system to be given to one of thirteen interested clubs. The Cal Berkeley phenom stated that he preferred to stay on the West Coast in order to finish his degree while still being able to play the sport he loves. The next day the Pleasanton native landed with the MLS team that he cheered on as a child, the San Jose Earthquakes.

Now a year later, I wonder if 22 year old Bings is feeling the same way when he looks out at some of his MLS contemporaries:

  • 20 year old Zac MacMath (Philadelphia Union) 2011 SuperDraft
    • Became the starting keeper in September of 2011 due to Faryd Mondragon getting injured
  • 21 year old Bill Hamid (DC United) Home grown player signed with first team in 9/2009
    • Started playing for them in 2010
    • Became starting goalkeeper in 2011
    • Starting Keeper for the U.S. Men’s National Team U-23
    • Often compared to Tim Howard
  • 22 year old Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire) 2010 SuperDraft
    • Became the starting keeper for the Chicago Fire after making MLS debut in August 2010, ultimately replacing Andrew Dykstra who had replaced Jon Busch
    • Secondary U-23 keeper for the U.S. Men’s National Team
    • Hasn’t yet played yet in 2012 due to being away on Olympic Qualifying duty.
  • 23 year old Joe Willis (DC United) from the 2011 SuperDraft
    • Due to Bill Hamid being on U-23 Duty followed by him coming home injured, Willis has started every match this 2012 season and looks to not be giving up the spot anytime soon.

I am curious if Bingham wonders if he would have been given a shot at being one of the keepers at the U-23 Olympic Qualifying tournament and perhaps seen the US through to London if he was getting more play time as a starting netminder in MLS. Does Bingham have the patience to wait out Jon Busch’s 2-year contract extension and see if the starting spot will be his? By that time, will he want to move on and try his hand at Europe? The Quakes did show their appreciation and faith in the young netminder when they waived Andrew Weber thus ultimately making Bingham the official backup to Buschy.

Would the Rookie Rather be Playing Hookie?

I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be drafted by the San Jose Earthquakes whose coach’s philosophy seems to believe that children should be seen not played. Whereas on other teams, young first rounders seem to quickly find minutes on the pitch. Even four matches into this season, a lucky few have already broken into their respective starting XI thus propelling themselves down road towards “MLS Rookie of the Year”. I am curious if I was in Sam Garza’s place how would I feel seeing Kelyn Rowe starting every game for the New England Revolution and getting that amazing goal against the LA Galaxy last weekend. Sam could look towards Casey Townsend the hero of Chivas who not only has found a starting spot, but shot the goal which took down Rio Tinto. Garza could curse TFC’s Luis Silva who has seen already 225 minutes on the pitch. The rookie could point to DC United’s Nick DeLeon with his 2 goals or Timbers’ Andrew Jean-Baptiste with a goal, or Colorado’s own goal scorer Tony Casico and start to feel bitter for being stuck playing in only the Reserve league. But Garza can instead look towards the ever humble Chris Wondolowski who was called the King of the Reserve League back in the day poaching goals and patiently waiting for his ‘first team’ chance to prove that his feet are truly golden.

Tottenham Hotspur-ned?

Now I will be so bold as to put myself into the shoes of the San Jose Earthquakes’ number 10. Let’s see how I would potentially feel if I were Simon Dawkins?

At the beginning of November, I went back home to London feeling that I had proven myself to be a contender. I instantly started scoring in Tottenham Hotspur’s reserve matches and training with Gareth Bale, Emmanuel Adebayor, Rafael van der Vaart, Luka Modrić and the rest of the English Premier League’s first team. I went on trial at Twente thinking that maybe 2012 I’d be in the Eredivisie which would get me closer to my dream to be on the pitch at White Hart Lane in a match against the likes of Wayne Rooney. FC Twente turn me down and thus it seemed like at least I would be back in San Jose’s starting XI working towards proving myself to Harry Redknapp that I am a key footballer. I slowly make my way across the pond a week before the start of the season and I am surprised at all the new faces in the locker room. I quickly realize that during the long winter limbo, the Earthquakes had went on with life as if I didn’t exist. They picked up Tressor Moreno, Shea Salinas, Marvin Chavez, Sercan Güvenışık to add to the familiar faces of Rafael Baca, Khari Stephenson, Steven Lenhart, Alan Gordon and Chris Wondolowski.

The first match I made it on the pitch for the last 26 minutes. But the next week against Houston, I wasn’t subbed on. Then we were in Toronto and I saw that Salinas was fighting to keep his spot by getting a goal (to add to the assist he notched against New England) and I was only given five minutes to prove my worth. I was sure that the next week, I would be needed in Seattle. I mean it’s the fourth week and I have worked with the new guys to know their ways and how they move on and off the ball. And yet, another win by the team and I only saw 1 minute on the pitch.

So here I wait on the bench, torn between hoping that the team keeps bring home 3pts but knowing that Frank Yallop doesn’t change a winning lineup. I commiserate with Tressor as we both look at the pitch longingly wanting to be a true part of a Quakes’ victory and yet we don’t want a teammate to falter.

Please note that this article is purely conjecture on how I might feel if I was one of these players. I did not speak to any of the players to know if what I wrote is how they truly feel or think. 

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