SAN JOSE — General manager Jesse Fioranelli fulfilled his promise to mine the Earthquakes’ youth systems to bolster the roster, signing three players from United Soccer League affiliate Reno 1868 FC.
The Quakes added defender Jimmy Ockford and midfielders Luis Felipe and Chris Wehan to the senior team, the club announced Thursday. The players helped Reno reach the playoffs in its inaugural season with a 17-7-8 record. The team led the Division II league in goal differential (+36) and set a single-season scoring record with 75 goals.
“Reno has been a great asset to us and Jimmy, Chris and Luis Felipe were a major reason for their success,” Fioranelli said in a statement.
The Earthquakes sent long-time assistant Ian Russell to Reno this year to coach and develop players for the senior team.
Ockford, 25, is an intriguing signing as a 6-foot-1 center back, a position where the Earthquakes lack depth. The promotion of a second-team USL all-league player could signal the Quakes don’t plan to re-sign Argentine defender Andres Imperiali.
Luis Felipe, 21, had five goals and three assists in 27 appearances in Reno. The Brazilian has played for the U.S. under-20 national team.
Wehan, 23, won the USL’s rookie of the year award after getting a league-high 12 assists and scoring eight goals last season. The former University of New Mexico star was overlooked in the 2017 MLS college draft.
— Marco Urena’s move to Los Angeles FC in the expansion draft this week carved out almost $500,000 in salary cap savings for the Quakes, a team official said. Urena’s salary was listed as $289,000 by the MLS Players Union. But it did not take into account Urena’s designation as a special discovery player. Such a distinction involves the acquisition cost and is counted against the salary cap. San Jose officials reportedly are negotiating with Swedish striker Magnus Eriksson, but a team official declined to comment on the situation.
