SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- For the San Jose Earthquakes, their return season in MLS was always going to focus more on laying a foundation for the future as opposed to winning games in the present. Yet with the 2008 campaign now completed, a new set of challenges awaits general manager John Doyle, and head coach Frank Yallop. And even as fans clamor for new acquisitions, the primary concern will be holding on to Scott Sealy and Francisco Lima, who were among the team's building blocks by year's end.
Both players were acquired in midseason, and both helped spark the team's turnaround, one that included a nine-game unbeaten streak. Sealy arrived in a trade with Kansas City back on July 14, and provided the kind of play with his back to goal that had been missing all season. Lima was signed on a free transfer four days later, and gave the Quakes increased bite in midfield.
Yet based on their reactions following Saturday's 2-0 win against Toronto FC, both players hinted that they could move on, with Sealy the more likely to leave.
The contract of the Trinidad & Tobago forward expires Dec. 31, and he's made no secret of his intentions to explore playing opportunities with European clubs. While Sealy said that the Quakes "had done everything possible to keep me here," it likely won't be enough to prevent him from heading overseas.
"I've got a family to support, and in Europe there are a lot of opportunities where I think they are going to offer me a lot of money," Sealy said. "I'm going to weigh my options, and then I'll make a sensible decision that's right for me and my family."
Lima's situation is a bit more surprising, in that he signed an 18-month contract when he arrived last summer. But the siren call of Europe, where he has spent most of his career, could see him move on as well. And Lima indicated through a translator that family considerations would also guide his decision.
While there is little that Yallop can do in Sealy's case, the San Jose manager is more optimistic about hanging on to Lima.
"I feel he may be back next year," said Yallop about Lima. "We want him to stay. I think him and Ramiro [Corrales], in midfield, were starting up a nice, strong partnership that I like."
At the same time, Yallop also stated that if Lima decides he wants to leave, he won't stand in his way, even though the Brazilian's contract still has a year to run.
"If [Lima] wants to go, it would be difficult to hang on to him," said Yallop. "You don't want to keep an unhappy player anyway."
As for who the Quakes might try to bring in for next season, Yallop indicated that the team has already begun compiling a list of potential targets, even though MLS rosters are frozen until after the MLS Cup Final on Nov. 23. Highest on his wish list is a forward who can offer more of a physical presence, the better to not only hold up the ball, but provide an aerial threat on set pieces. This need will become especially pressing if Sealy departs.
"We've already made calls on players to teams that are out of the playoffs," said Yallop. "We're just trying to find out interest on certain guys we like. I think if you make the call early, then it's in their minds ... and it's out there. We've made some good inroads on certain players. Hopefully we can get some answers soon."
Then the Quakes can complete work on the foundation, and start building the other parts needed to become a playoff team.
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