SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes today announced their roster moves ahead of the 2021 MLS season.
The club has exercised 2021 contract options on four players: goalkeepers JT Marcinkowski and Daniel Vega; defender Jacob Akanyirige; and midfielder Jack Skahan.
The Earthquakes will not exercise 2021 contract options on three players: defender Guram Kashia and midfielders Luis Felipe and Vako.
The following players hold guaranteed contracts for the 2021 season: goalkeeper Emi Ochoa; defenders Tanner Beason, Florian Jungwirth, Nick Lima, Marcos Lopez, Paul Marie, Tommy Thompson and Casey Walls; midfielders Eric Calvillo, Cristian Espinoza, Carlos Fierro, Gilbert Fuentes, Siad Haji, Judson, Shea Salinas and Jackson Yueill; and forwards Cade Cowell and Andy Rios.
Defender Oswaldo Alanis is approaching the second season of his two-year loan with San Jose from Mexico’s Chivas de Guadalajara.
The following players are out of contract following the 2020 season: goalkeeper Matt Bersano and forwards Danny Hoesen and Chris Wondolowski. The Quakes have extended a Bona Fide Offer to Bersano and are in discussions on a new contract with Wondolowski.
“Guram, Vako, Danny and Luis have been important contributors to our club the past few seasons,” said Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli. “Each of them played an integral role as we grew more resilient as a club especially with regards to how our players and our staff committed to each other and took this challenging season head on. That said, they’re part of the Earthquakes family and we wish them the best of luck in the future.”
San Jose announced a new contract for Jackson Yueill in October, as well as Paul Marie, Tommy Thompson and Shea Salinas earlier this week. Magnus Eriksson was also previously transferred to Sweden's Djurgardens IF in August.
The San Jose Earthquakes current roster heading into 2021, listed alphabetically by position, is below:
Goalkeepers (3): JT Marcinkowski (HG), Emi Ochoa (HG), Daniel Vega
Defenders (9): Jacob Akanyirige (HG), Oswaldo Alanis, Tanner Beason, Florian Jungwirth, Nick Lima (HG), Marcos Lopez, Paul Marie, Tommy Thompson (HG), Casey Walls (HG)
Midfielders (9): Eric Calvillo, Cristian Espinoza, Carlos Fierro, Gilbert Fuentes (HG), Siad Haji (GA), Judson, Shea Salinas, Jack Skahan, Jackson Yueill
Forwards (2): Cade Cowell (HG), Andy Rios
Key Offseason Dates
Following a 45-day roster freeze, MLS clubs may trade players during a half-day trade window on Dec. 13 from 6-10 a.m. PT. Following the conclusion of the trade window, a Blackout Period begins where clubs may no longer sign and/or trade players until the conclusion of 2020 Expansion Draft on Dec. 15.
Austin FC may select up to five players from the eligible player list, including no more than one player per team. All 10 teams who had a player selected in the 2019 MLS Expansion Draft are exempt. The list of players eligible for selection in the 2020 MLS Expansion Draft will be released by MLS Communications on Dec. 14 at 7 a.m. PT. For all Expansion Draft rules, click here.
The End-of-Year Waivers process, taking place on Dec. 16, is conducted in reverse order of 2020 season finish, taking into account postseason performance. Expansion club Austin FC will have the 27th pick in each round. Eligible for selection are players who do not meet the minimum requirements for Re-Entry Process or Free Agency. The list of players eligible for the End-of-Year Waivers will be released by MLS Communications on Dec. 14.
Clubs may engage with players, other than their own, that are eligible for Free Agency beginning on Dec. 16 at 10 a.m. PT. Free Agency eligible players are out-of-contract and option-declined players who are at least 24 years old and who have completed a minimum of five service years. MLS Communications will make the complete list of Free Agents available on Dec. 14.
The MLS Re-Entry process begins on Dec. 17, giving teams a chance to select experienced MLS players who have not agreed to a new contract with their current club but may want to stay in the league. Players who are eligible to be selected in the Re-Entry Draft include those who are at least 22 years old and have a minimum of one year of MLS service who are out of contract and did not receive a Bona Fide Offer or whose contract options were not exercised by their clubs.
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – The Earthquakes will exercise 2021 contract options on GK JT Marcinkowski, GK Daniel Vega, D Jacob Akanyirige and M Jack Skahan. The Earthquakes will not exercise 2021 contract options on D Guram Kashia, M Luis Felipe and M Vako.
