Earthquakes Trade for Alvarez

The San Jose Earthquakes roster overhaul showed no signs of slowing on Monday, as the expansion club acquired midfielder Arturo Alvarez from FC Dallas in exchange for allocation money and a first-round pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft.
Alvarez, 23, was originally drafted by the Earthquakes back in 2003, and appeared in 26 games for the club in two years, registering two goals and an assist. Prior to the start of the 2005 season, Alvarez was shipped to Dallas along with Richard Mulrooney in a deal for Brad Davis. Spending three-and-a-half seasons in The Big D, Alvarez racked up 11 goals and 11 assists in the regular season and also appeared in two playoff games for the Hoops in 2007.

“Arturo is a dynamic attacking player who should fit in well with our team,” said Earthquakes General Manager of Soccer Operations John Doyle. “He can play both in midfield and at forward so he also has great versatility, which is important for us as we continue to build our team.”

Not content with being resigned to the usual fate of expansion clubs, San Jose has been very active in the transfer market of late, bringing in talented players such as Scott Sealy (Kansas City Wizards), Francisco Lima (Brescia Calcio), and Darren Huckerby (Norwich City).

On the other side of the spectrum, FC Dallas is in danger of losing the core of their team, with striker Kenny Cooper and midfielder Juan Toja – two of the club’s biggest stars – both rumored to be on their way out to overseas destinations.