Salvadoran winger Jaime Alas finishes trial with San Jose Earthquakes, awaits transfer to MLS
by robertjonas on Feb 17, 2012 11:40 AM PST
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Salvadoran midfielder Jaime Alas finally had his long sought for trial with the San Jose Earthquakes this week, and according to the player’s representative his stint with the club was time well spent. The 22-year old currently is under contract with domestic side Luis Ángel Firpo for the next two years, but has repeatedly stated that he wants to pursue playing opportunities overseas. According to his representative, Alas hopes to learn this weekend whether he will be brought in to MLS and whether the deal will be structured as a loan or a permanent transfer.
In an interview yesterday with a leading Salvadoran television sports program, Alas went into great detail about his time spent with the Earthquakes. He expressed how helpful some of the players were in helping him acclimate to the team, mentioning fellow international Rafael Baca among others. Alas also talked about how Firpo requested that his trial with San Jose last no more than a week, and that he return to his domestic side immediately after. In a very telling comment from the interview, Alas claimed that Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop wants him on the team, and that they will work with Firpo to come to a transfer agreement.
Whether or not Alas could be brought to San Jose, the Earthquakes would need to take his salary demands into account in addition to what type of deal was reached with his contract holder Firpo. Earlier this week, Earthquakes general manager John Doyle expressed that the team was prepared to make more roster moves, but that he would need to take the team's salary cap numbers into account.
"We’re never done," said Doyle in a media conference call on Tuesday. "The cap does limit you. We're close to the cap but that doesn’t mean we wouldn’t move players out."
Alas’ trial with the Earthquakes comes after an unsuccessful attempt in January to make a move to Guatemalan side C.S.D. Comunicaciones when his contract holder Firpo was unable to agree on a deal. The midfielder, who caught the attention of the Earthquakes technical staff last June during the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, was then invited to train with San Jose during their week-long preseason training camp in Oxnard, Calif. During that time, Alas was able to work with the team and also participate in preseason friendlies against the Houston Dynamo and VC Fusion.
The San Jose Earthquakes have one unused International Player roster spot available for the 2012 season, so bringing Alas aboard is a possibility. If the Salvadoran left winger did make the move to San Jose, it would arguably give the team an embarrassment of riches in the midfield, which would probably signal that players currently on the roster could be moved in favor of addressing needs on the defensive line. Coach Yallop has already mentioned that avenue for player acquisition as a possibility leading up to the MLS roster compliance date of March 1.
The complete Jaime Alas interview with Fanaticos+:
A good collection of Jaime Alas goals:
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would love it if we got this kid
but it would probably mean salinas or gjertsen are on their way out
Win or lose, we'll always be there for you.
by johnjahafanclub on Feb 17, 2012 1:42 PM PST reply actions
Perfect Complement?
Robert – great story. Thanks for digging this up. He certainly looks speedy on these clips. Wonder why there hasn’t been any other MLS interest in him. Agree with johnjah that signing Alas would probably necessitate clearing out some of the depth players in midfield. Is he really better than Shea Salinas? It would kind of come down to that, plus the salary hit difference.
However, from a positional standpoint, don’t we have a greater need for a fourth centerback and for a fourth holding midfielder? I had been hoping the final roster moves would be to bolster the defense. I’m no longer worried about the offense. It’s the defense that concerns me, especially after the first three pre-season friendlies.
by Michael From SF on Feb 17, 2012 2:17 PM PST reply actions
The roster needs more defenders...
…no doubt about it. I’ve had quite a few conversations with other media people around MLS this week, and the fact that the Quakes have upgraded their midfield and forward lines will not help them out if they are leaking goals on defense like they did too often last season.
As I see it, the Quakes have two roster spots open, and only a pair of trialists that stand a chance of being signed — Kyle Davies and Lyle Martin. Davies has been getting time at CB while Marin sees most of his time at RB. Neither is likely to threaten for a starting spot, but could be inexpensive depth signings. Another option could turn out to be ex-Quake Bobby Burling. Last year’s pick in the expansion draft by Montreal has still not agreed to a contract with his new team. Perhaps he finds his way back to San Jose and resumes his position as the fourth CB on the team. Stranger things have happened in the insular world of MLS.
Hernandez, Opara, and Bernardez are unlikely to be healthy/effective/available for all 34 games, the fourth CB needs to have enough experience that he can be effective when called on. Perhaps when the team is back training in San Jose next week we’ll learn more about the situation.
by robertjonas on Feb 17, 2012 10:51 PM PST up reply actions
"embarrassment of riches" is right
Unfortunately for me this stands out as a negative. As good as Alas may be this just isn’t the position that the Quakes need. And as you have intimated Mr. Jonas, the changes to the back line (or at least as the back ups) will have to come from within as Yallop yet again takes players out of their natural position to fill the ranks.
Morrow’s being used as a center back more often during the preseason but are there any other players currently on roster who could shift position to fill the space admirably if need arose?
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