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Earthquakes re-acquire Salinas, sign Lenhart to extension

SheaSalinasVan (ISIPhotos.com)

The San Jose Earthquakes wasted no time finding a new option for the left side of midfield after parting ways with Bobby Convey, and found a familiar face to fill the role.

The Earthquakes traded for former San Jose winger Shea Salinas, acquiring him from Vancouver in exchange for an undisclosed amount of allocation money. The first MLS Draft pick of the current re-incarnation of the Earthquakes back in 2008, Salinas spent two seasons with San Jose before joining Philadelphia in 2010 and Vancouver in 2011 via the MLS expansion draft.

Lenhart signed a contract extension after a first season with San Jose that saw him post five goals during an injury-hit season. The former Columbus striker impressed as a striker in the first half of the season and figures as a starter for the Earthquakes in 2012.

What do you think of the moves? Still think San Jose has a lot more work to do to make a run back to the playoffs? See Salinas making an impact in his second go-round in San Jose?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I’ve been a Clash/Earthquake’s fan since I was in the crowd at the league’s opening match. I was in a believer in Yallop since he was at the helm when SJ looked to be building a dynasty team pre Houston Dynamo.

    However, one wonders if that success can be attributed to the talent of Landon Donovan and Kinnear. SJ Earthquake’s v2.0 have been nothing but disappointing. How many times have we seen a central american signing turn out to be a bust. Time for new management.

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  2. To counter kpugs’ ignorant assessment.

    I’m a Columbus Crew fan. Always have been always will be. Lenhart was a loose cannon while on the team, but he played great. I was very upset when it was announced he wanted to be traded after the Crew FO cleaned house, morons that they are. F that lot. But beyond that, Lenhart was a fantastic addition to the Columbus community. He’s an all around stand up guy. Sure he plays with fire and passion that would better be held back sometimes, but he’s good people.

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  3. in spite of the personal tragedy Lenhart disappointed some fans last year by not sticking it out the rest of the season. He took another month off- came back for a short while then left again- the rumor being he was needed at home for financial reasons. Hardball for a contract extension? I don’t know, but his hard work made him a fan favorite and the team likely always intended to improve his contract.

    Shea will bring some depth. Good to have him back.

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  4. I’m guessing you’re either a crew fan still trying to justify your FO trading him away so that you could sign justin meram, or a galaxy fan still mad about the saunders incident.

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  5. Lenhart is a loaded gun with barrels pointed in both directions. He disrupts the opponent’s defense and has a true striker’s instinct but he’s so unpredictable that his own team tends to stand around and watch him operate. After that incident where he headed the ball out of a goalkeeper’s hands, every defender and referee in the league had his name on their bad list. If he can straighten his head out and play nice, he’ll be a great partner for Wondo.

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  6. Shea was absolutely useless for the Caps this year. Here is his typical play: run as fast as he can with his head down and either: (a) run into a defender; (b) pass the ball to no one in particular; or (c) stub a weak shot wide.

    It is amazing how much credit he gets for being able to run quickly with the ball to the corner flag.

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  7. Good moves by the Quakes. I’ve always been a fan of Shea’s and while Lenhart may not score a ton of goals. I think it’s no question that Wondolowski plays better with Lenhart playing along side him. It’s a start for Quakes fans.

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  8. I thought Lenhart missed most of the season for family reasons, mainly the passing of his father. I never heard anything about injury after his surgery in preseason.

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  9. Happy to hear Lenhart’s contract was extended. Galaxy fans are anxiously awaiting his arrival at the HDC. It’s been a long time coming.

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  10. The team had great results and a great record with Lenhart in the lineup, and Salinas has got better every year. Can’t say I’m not pumped about these moves.

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  11. I want to smack Lenhart in his stupid face. 60% of his tally came in one lucky game, good luck to San Jose making that stupid move. He’s awful…and a huge scumbag.

    Reply

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