SAN JOSE, Calif. - The midseason addition of Earthquakes' midfielder Marc Pelosi helped solidify the club's depth in the middle of the park during the 2015 campaign. Making seven starts in 12 games during his debut season, we review the 21-year-old's return to his hometown club in 2015.
Returning Home: After entering 2015 in his fourth year with Liverpool’s youth academy, Pelosi signed with the Quakes on July 17, returning to the club that plays less than 10 miles from his hometown of Sunnyvale, CA.
Premier Debut: Despite leaving England for Major League Soccer, Pelosi’s debut for San Jose came against a Premier League opponent – Manchester United – as part of the International Champions Cup North America on July 21. Pelosi entered the match at halftime and played the final 45 minutes.
Liverpool Connection: When the Quakes hosted the LA Galaxy on Aug. 28 in the first-ever rendition of the California Clasico at Avaya Stadium, Pelosi was pitted against former Liverpool ally Steven Gerrard for the first time. Pelosi was up to the challenge, ultimately having more touches on the ball and connecting more passes than the former English captain, and helping San Jose win 1-0.
Impactful Arrival: Pelosi’s arrival in San Jose was among many factors that led to the club’s run of success in the late summer. In his first six league appearances, the Earthquakes went 4-2-1 from July 26 to Aug. 8. In all, Pelosi made seven starts in 12 total appearances, racking up more than 650 league minutes.
National Scene: Pelosi continued to be a regular with the United States U-23 National Team, appearing in numerous competitions. In fact, Pelosi scored the game-winning goal in a 2-0 win over Canada in the third-place match during the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship, keeping the U.S. in contention for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.
