Photo: John Hefti / Prost Amerika
Wynne fits right it, but Nyassi and Barrera join back end of queue for starting slots
by John Marshall, San Jose
The Earthquakes announced three new signings on Wednesday, welcoming midfielders Leandro Barrera, Sanna Nyassi and defender Marvell Wynne to the club.
>Barrera, 23, played in 32 games last season with Chivas USA, starting in 24 while recording 1 goal and 2 assists. A native of Argentina, Barrera played 6 seasons for Asociacion Atletica Argentinos Juniors in the Argentine First Division from 2010-2013 before coming to MLS. The Earthquakes acquired his rights in the MLS Waiver Draft.
Nyassi, 25, has spent six years in MLS, the last of which he began in Montreal before being traded to Chicago in exchange for Dilly Duka. The Gambian international has scored 16 goals and 13 assists in 128 games, playing 54 games for Montreal.
Wynne, 28, spent the last 5 of his 9 year career with Colorado and has notched 2 goals and 18 assists in his 236 career games as a defender. Wynne posted 44 shutouts over his career in the back line and helped the Rapids win MLS Cup 2010. Drafted in 2006 by New York Red Bulls, Marvell made 28 appearances before being traded to Toronto in April, 2007 where he would play 67 games in 3 years.
Wynne should be able to jump right into the back line rotation. He’s an established defender in MLS and, with the loss of Jason Hernandez in the Expansion Draft, he fills a void. Nyassi and Barrera will have a much tougher time getting minutes as there are a total of 10, or 11 if you include D/M Jordan Stewart, midfielders on the roster.
Matias Perez Garcia is a lock for the starting 11 and Tommy Thompson and Shea Salinas will likely play the wings.
That leaves Nyassi and Barrera to battle with Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi, Cordell Cato, JJ Koval, and Khari Stephenson for playing time as well as rookie Fatai Alashe, who at this point might be on the outside looking in. Nyassi has more experience in the league than Barrera which could give him the upper hand in the fight for playing time.
There’s also a log jam at forward after the signing of a 3rd designated player, Innocent Emeghara. Behind him and Chris Wondolowski are Steven Lenhart, Mike Fucito, and Adam Jahn, leaving little room for a midfielder to jump up to a forward position.
However, in terms of experience and depth, the additions look sound. There’s no harm in new arrivals pushing those ahead of them a little harder.
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