The San Jose Earthquakes emerged from the 2016 MLS SuperDraft with four additions to the club. After selecting two players at the Baltimore Convention Center on Thursday, January 14, San Jose added two more via conference call on Tuesday, January 19.
Round 1, Pick 8 – GK Andrew Tarbell
The expected pick among fans and media members was a defender to add depth to the club’s back line. However, the signing of left-footed Argentinian defenseman Andres Imperiale, who is capable of playing both center back and left back, on Wednesday allowed San Jose the freedom to take the ‘best player available’ – a tactic that is largely preferred in draft circles.
After a late attempt to move up in the SuperDraft fell through, the Quakes held on to the eighth overall selection and chose Clemson goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell. The addition of a keeper left some scratching their head with San Jose already possessing 26-year-old David Bingham, who was recently called to the U.S. National Team, and 26-year-old Bryan Meredith, who proved capable in Open Cup matches last season. But in reality, the decision makes a great deal of sense.
With the chance that Bingham continues to represent U.S. Soccer, and is subsequently forced to spend time away from San Jose, adding a third goalkeeper was generally a significantly overlooked component of an important offseason. But not to general manager John Doyle and head coach Dominic Kinnear.
Many pundits considered Tarbell the best goalkeeper in the draft, and not by a small margin. He led Clemson to the NCAA College Cup Final after allowing just 22 goals in 24 games during the 2015 season, including nine clean sheets. The NSCAA Second-Team All-American shone when the lights were brightest, and was selected to the NCAA College All-Tournament Team.
In addition, the 6-foot-3 Tarbell was part of a seven-man 2016 Generation adidas class, which means he (and his salary) does not count against the MLS senior roster or cap.
"I think he’s a good goalkeeper,” said Kinnear. “He has a bright future and his GA status made him even more attractive to us. We felt he would be a great option for us.”
Round 2, Pick 28 – M Patrick Hodan
Notre Dame midfielder Patrick Hodan was the second player to hear his name called by San Jose.
Hodan saw his draft stock slip a bit, despite being named NSCAA Second Team All-South Region, Second Team All-ACC and the CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year in 2015. The Quakes recognized an opportunity to get a player seemingly undervalued in this year’s draft class.
After successful freshman and sophomore seasons, Hodan burst onto the national scene in 2014 as a junior. He paced all Fighting Irish players in goals (nine), points (21), shots (67) and shots on goal (29), en route to being named:
• ACC Offensive Player of the Year
• MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist (best player in college soccer)
• Capital One Academic All-America First Team
• NSCAA Division I All-America First Team
• Soccer America MVP Second Team
• NSCAA All-South Region First Team
• All-ACC First Team
“Patrick had a good college career at a very good school so he has a good pedigree,” said Doyle. “He has goals in him – we’ve seen that at college level.”
Hodan was recognized by MLSSoccer.com prior to the 2015 season as one of the nation’s top-10 players to watch for the 2016 SuperDraft. The list also includes top-five picks Josh Yaro, Brandon Vincent and Omar Holness.
Round 3, Pick 49 – D Kip Colvey
Colvey is Hawaiian born, New Zealand raised and California educated. He is a pacey right back with a strong defensive reputation and the ability to get forward, as evidenced by his three goals in 2015.
He was a First Team All-Big West selection as a senior after anchoring a defense that ranked third in the conference with a 1.08 goals against average. A four-year starter, Colvey departed Cal Poly ranked sixth all-time with 74 appearances, while playing his first two years under current Quakes Academy head coach Paul Holocher.
Colvey also has an internationally pedigree, representing New Zealand at numerous youth levels. He helped his country reach the Round of 16 at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup and also appeared for the U-23s at the 2015 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Papua New Guinea.
Round 4, Pick 69 – M Tyler Thompson
The older brother of Quakes midfielder and first-ever Homegrown signing Tommy Thompson, Tyler ‘Ty’ Thompson was a four-year starter for Stanford University. He captained the Cardinal to its first-ever National Championship run in 2015.
Thompson received numerous accolades during his senior season, including being named NSCAA First Team All-Far West Region, First Team All-Pac-12 Conference and an NSCAA Second Team Scholar-All American.
Primarily a rugged defensive midfielder, he also assisted on nine goals during his Stanford career, including three during his senior season.
