San Jose Earthquakes make move for Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi
Mark Watson’s San Jose Earthquakes are looking to boost up their midfield. This week, a report came announcing that the club is pursuing Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi of Ligue 1 side AC Ajaccio.
“The club has decided not to oppose his departure: It is very likely that Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi will leave the ACA at the beginning of the month of January,” announced the club on their website. “AC Ajaccio will keep in memory the proud and loyal service of his emblematic captain.”
Originally, it was assumed that Pierazzi would be plying his trade with the Chicago Fire but that was shot down by Ajaccio soon after. Pierazzi’s first three seasons with Ajaccio were spent in Ligue 2. They earned promotion for the for the 2011-12 campaign, during which Pierazzi made 32 starts to lead them to a 16th-place finish.
In 67 appearances (53 starts) over the past two-and-a-half seasons, Pierazzi hasn’t recorded an assist or goal for Ajaccio, who are destined to be relegated this year if they don’t clean up their act.
Back on the home front, Chris Wondolowski and Clarence Goodson have been called up to USA Men’s National Team camp and will be at camp through Feb. 1, when the Nats take on fellow World Cup side South Korea.
“We are all very excited for this camp because, as a team, it will give us our first taste of Brazil,” said USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann. “This is a very important camp in our preparations for the World Cup. It’s important for the players to continue developing their bond and sense of urgency for the tournament. It’s important for us to see how they do in Brazil, how the new players fit with the group and to make sure everyone is focused on reaching the highest level for next summer.”
Here is the roster of players that will be in camp for the USA Men.
Goalkeepers (4): Tally Hall (Houston Dynamo), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake).
Defenders (10): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Michael Harrington (Portland Timbers), Chris Klute (Colorado Rapids), Chance Myers (Sporting Kansas City), Shane O’Neill (Colorado Rapids), Seth Sinovic (Sporting Kansas City), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC).
Midfielders (8): Eric Alexander (New York Red Bulls), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Luis Gil (Real Salt Lake), Dax McCarty (New York Red Bulls), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
Forwards (4): Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (D.C. United), Mike Magee (Chicago Fire), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes).
Finally, on Jan. 30, a new look for the Quakes will be released, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the club in its numerous incarnations.
“We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this momentous occasion with our fans at one of San Jose’s most iconic venues, San Pedro Square Market,” said Earthquakes president Dave Kaval. “As we celebrate 40 years of Quakes soccer and with the new stadium scheduled for completion this year, we felt this was the perfect time to unveil a new look that embodies the true spirit of this club. We look forward to a memorable night that will highlight all of the great things that make this club special.”
The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. ET at San Pedro Square Market in Downtown San Jose – 87 N San Pedro St. in San Jose, CA 95110.