What does Earthquakes midfielder JJ Koval have in common with Richard Mulrooney, Eddie Lewis and Todd Dunivant?
The answer: They’re among 10 rookies in club history to record 20 appearances during their debut campaign. The list also includes Adam Jahn, Quincy Amarikwa, Shea Salinas, Ian Russell, Jamie Clark and Wade Barrett.
Three players from that group have earned MLS Best XI honors during their careers and a quartet – Eddie Lewis, Wade Barrett, Richard Mulrooney and Todd Dunivant – picked up United States Men’s National Team call-ups. Additionally, Ian Russell and Shea Salinas are on the club’s top-10 all-time assists list.
Koval, 22, has 20 appearances and seven starts with the Earthquakes. He also played in both of the club’s CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal matches against Toluca FC – including a 120-minute shift at center back in the second leg at Estadio Nemesio Diez on March 19 – and started San Jose’s two U.S. Open Cup games in June.
With six games remaining including an international friendly against C.D.S. Vida, Koval has an opportunity to make 30 appearances in all competitions; only three Earthquakes rookies – Russell (30), Dunivant (32) and Mulrooney (32) have achieved that feat.
Not bad company to keep for San Jose’s top pick from the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.
<strong>Year</strong> |
<strong>Player</strong> |
<strong>GP</strong> |
<strong>GS</strong> |
<p>2014</p> |
<p>JJ Koval</p> |
<p>20</p> |
<p>7</p> |
<p>2013</p> |
<p>Adam Jahn</p> |
<p>22</p> |
<p>11</p> |
<p>2009</p> |
<p>Quincy Amarikwa</p> |
<p>24</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>2008</p> |
<p>Shea Salinas</p> |
<p>23</p> |
<p>2</p> |
<p>2003</p> |
<p>Todd Dunivant</p> |
<p>30</p> |
<p>30</p> |
<p>2000</p> |
<p>Ian Russell</p> |
<p>28</p> |
<p>20</p> |
<p>1999</p> |
<p>Richard Mulrooney</p> |
<p>32</p> |
<p>25</p> |
<p>1999</p> |
<p>Jamie Clark</p> |
<p>26</p> |
<p>22</p> |
<p>1998</p> |
<p>Wade Barrett</p> |
<p>26</p> |
<p>22</p> |
<p>1996</p> |
<p>Eddie Lewis</p> |
<p>25</p> |
<p>13</p> |
Note: List includes only players who were selected in the MLS SuperDraft of Supplemental Draft
