SAN JOSE, Calif. — Those behind the club on a constant basis know there is minimal room for questioning the hype surrounding the San Jose Earthquakes’ upcoming campaign. Whether it’s Chris Wondolowski’s journey to surpass Landon Donovan’s goal scoring record. The performances of the new-look, historically lavish attack. Mikael Stahre’s tactical and philosophical impacts, you name it. 2018, once and for all, projects at erasing any possible leftover disparity from the infamous John Doyle era.
In the midst of such collective and aligned anticipation, some of last year’s revelations went incognito. That, however, was not the case with Nick Lima. The Quakes youngest and most impressive defender in 2017, got a slight sample of what an offseason looks like for a U.S. national team-caliber player.
A three-week camp in Southern California, helped Lima, who is heading into the rigorous sophomore campaign, add layers of professionalism and quality to his already club legend-esque profile.
“I’m very proud of him. He’s continued to grow as a player,” Quakes captain Wondolowski told Quakes Epicenter following their 4-0 preseason victory over Reno 1868 FC. “Your second year is a bit of a crossroad: it’s very tough, very challenging, players start to understand that Nick is quick, guys know that he’s very strong. And so, he has to evolve.
“I think he’s doing that [by] taking the right steps and continuing to grow as a player. Love his mentality. Love his work ethic. Love what he brings to the locker room. I think that his leadership is starting to really blossom as well, that’s something that has taken over place in January camp, as well.
“I think that’s the fun part: not only age and mindset, but where he wants to be with his goals. I don’t think there is a ceiling on him right now, he can continue to grow and he has that mentality. It’s not going to be easy, it’s not going to be given, but if he continues making the right steps, he can do great things.”
The process of accumulating traits in order for Lima to be one of the next young Americans currently applying their trade in MLS to get a chance abroad. U.S. soccer’s downfall. The lack of it’s stable identity abroad. the minuscule fraction of touted domestic right backs; only further opens the podium for the Castro Valley native, after all.
General manager Jesse Fioranelli, at some point will have to, if not practiced or encourage by key MLS executives by then, instill a concept that places the club partaking in constant two-way exchanges with European sides. Currently, given his Homegrown status, age and quality, there is no one outside of Lima that can generate an equal buzz or possible loads of cash.
“I’ve lived here my whole life, so of course it’s the local club [and] making a career here is my dream, too,” Lima told Quakes Epicenter on Friday morning, days prior to the season opener. “But I think national team, playing at the highest level in Europe, yeah. That’s (playing in Europe) the ultimate thing on the club level, and that’s definitely my dream. If it happens, it happens and hopefully I’ll be ready for it.”
“Even if it’s not there, [and it’s] the national team, being a starter or whatever it may be there’s a long, long way to go,” he added. “Hopefully [playing in Europe] is a part of my plan, but plans change and what not. You just have to do your best at whatever, and if the opportunity comes, I won’t hesitate to take advantage of it.”
