Some things in life offer instant gratification. Others take time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
In sports, player development is the latter.
The San Jose Earthquakes signed Tommy Thompson as their first-ever Homegrown Player ahead of the 2014 season. Since then, the team has made scouting and developing youth players from the talent-rich Bay Area a major priority.
Players are routinely pulled into the Quakes Academy from all over Northern California, including the East Bay, South Bay, San Francisco, Peninsula and even Central Valley. From there, players are funneled up the ranks while being consistently challenged to progress. Academy players are even able to train with First Team on a regular basis and show their skills to the coaching staff. Those who have what it takes have largely been given an opportunity at the First Team level.
Over the last few years, San Jose has added a total of eight Homegrown Players to its roster. Thompson, Nick Lima and JT Marcinkowski all played at least one season in college, but the other five have ranged in age between 14 and 16. These young signings are exciting but require significant patience to see results.
Let’s take a look at the eight Homegrowns on the Quakes’ roster:
Midfielder/Defender Tommy Thompson – Signed on Jan. 22, 2014
Thompson, 25, is now in his seventh professional season. After starting just 43 games in his first five years combined, Thompson has emerged as one of the team’s most versatile players, splitting time between right back and central midfield. He has started 35 of the team’s 45 games since the start of the 2019 season and is already the club’s third longest tenured player.
Defender Nick Lima – Signed on Dec. 21, 2016
Lima, 25, is in his fourth year with the Earthquakes after signing ahead of the 2017 season. After four years at Cal, he was a finalist for Major League Soccer’s Rookie of the Year award in 2017 and has since been a regular for the team, missing just two games to date this season. Lima has made nine appearances with the U.S. National Team and continues to be in the conversation for upcoming international windows.
Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski – Signed on Dec. 6, 2017
Marcinkowski, 23, is in his third season with the First Team. A native of Alamo, Calif., Marcinkowski went on to play for the Georgetown Hoyas for three seasons before turning pro. He has represented the United States at multiple youth levels, including U-20 and U-23, while getting a chance to show his talent at the senior team camp last December. On Wednesday, he made his first start of the season and sixth of his young professional career, holding Portland to a single goal.
Defender Jacob Akanyirige – Signed on Dec. 15, 2017
Akanyirige, 18, is fresh off his MLS debut on Wednesday, starting and playing 69 minutes vs. Portland. A native of Pleasanton, Akanyirige was signed at 15 years old as a relative unknown to Quakes fans but has since earned U.S. youth national team call-ups and continued to turn heads with the First Team as he has developed over the years. Physically, Akanyirige can run and jump with any other player on the team.
Midfielder Gilbert Fuentes – Signed on Jan. 26, 2018
Fuentes, 18, was also signed as a 15-year-old ahead of the 2018 season. He has since made two MLS appearances while getting significant playing time in USL with Reno 1868 FC, even scoring his first professional goal earlier this year. He has long been a staple with the USYNT system.
Forward Cade Cowell – Signed on Jan. 23, 2019
Cowell, 16, may be the fastest rising of the eight Homegrowns. At 16 years young, Cowell has already forced his way into the rotation and brings an exhilarating pace to the field. He has made eight appearances, including two starts, so far this season and that number is likely to keep growing before his 17th birthday next month. Expect him to continue getting opportunities with the U.S. National Team system.
Defender Casey Walls – Signed on Nov. 5, 2019
Walls, 17, is a tall, athletic, left-footed center back. A native of London with experience in the Chelsea youth setup, Walls has a bright future for San Jose and the USYNT. He has not yet appeared in an MLS or USL match, but time is on his side as he is the youngest of six center backs on the Quakes’ roster.
Goalkeeper Emi Ochoa – Signed on Nov. 11, 2019
Ochoa, 15, became the youngest player to sign a Homegrown contract in Major League Soccer history (and second youngest overall) at the age of 14 last November. Ochoa is still years away from contributing at the First Team level, but his development will be one to watch as he’s attracting attention, and call-ups, from both the United States and Mexico.
