Something changed drastically for the 2008 MLS expansion San Jose Earthquakes in mid-season this year. That something - or rather, someone - named Darren Huckerby, is the number one reason for the huge positive turnaround in the team's record and resulting fortunes...
After five seasons and over 200 appearances with Norwich City, Huckerby was added to San Jose as a part of a new strategy by head coach Frank Yallop. Yallop, who had coached the previous Quakes to two MLS Cup Championships, came from LA to helm the team this season.
San Jose had spent the early 2008 season in the Western Conference basement; they were so far behind the other teams, that many observers had written them off by July...
Then, along came Huckerby, and a resulting nine-match unbeaten streak, which put them up in the middle of the table, and into playoff contention.
Take a look at these features on Huckerby, who was just named the MLS Player of the Month for September...
from MLSNet,
"San Jose Earthquakes forward Darren Huckerby was voted MLS Player of the Month for September. He netted three goals and tallied one assist during the month and led the Earthquakes to a 1-1-1 record, while helping keep alive a nine-game unbeaten streak that lasted until the Quakes final game of the month..."
Read the complete MLS Player of the Month Press Release here
VIDEOS -
Gaining ground as one of the frontrunners for the MLS regular-season MVP award is San Jose's Darren Huckerby; this video shows why. He has also just been named MLS Player of the Month for September, as he scored crucial goals in two of his club's three league matches during the month...
Here, you can watch Darren Huckerby's Quick Kicks 'One Touch' highlights versus FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park (as seen on ESPN)...
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