Photo credit: San Jose Earthquakes
As Chris Leitch enters his first season as the full-time General Manager of the San Jose Earthquakes, he’s kept busy revamping a roster that’s been heavy on imports, but light on results. The long-time Quakes employee has cast aside the tendency of his predecessor to bring in newcomers to MLS for a strategy of signing proven veterans of the league.
Leitch turned some heads when he welcomed defender Francisco Calvo and midfielder Jan Gregus, both players with a history in MLS and an understanding of its demands, both on and off the field, to San Jose. But, he has made no bigger acquisition this preseason than in trading for Designated Player midfielder Jamiro Monteiro from the Philadelphia Union for a collection of salary assets, affirming his commitment to domestically based performers.
“Jamiro has been one of the most consistently exciting and effective players in Major League Soccer over the past three seasons,” Leitch shared in a club statement. “In addition to raising our level of creativity, we believe he is a strong fit for our style of play and should make us more dynamic in attack and defense.”
Photo credit: San Jose Earthquakes
Monteiro, 28, played the last three seasons for the Philadelphia Union, scoring nine goals and adding 21 assists in 75 appearances. The Union, buoyed by the Dutch-born midfielder’s contributions as a DP, finished in the top three of the Eastern Conference table and earned the Supporters’ Shield in 2020. Monteiro was an offensive catalyst and one of just four players to tally at least six assists in each of the past three MLS seasons, sharing that honor with current Earthquakes midfielder Cristian Espinoza.
“That’s my style, to provide pressure and win the ball directly when you lose it,” Monteiro said in his first media appearance with the Quakes. “I’m a player that wins the ball and likes to move it forward. I will do everything to provide a big impact on this team. I will do everything.”
Oct 23, 2021; Chester, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Union midfielder Jamiro Monteiro (10) reacts against the Nashville SC at Subaru Park. Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Leff-USA TODAY Sports
Prior to the blockbuster trade, Monteiro was participating in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament, representing Cape Verde, the nation of his parents’ heritage. He started all three matches in the Group Stage and the knockout round game his team lost to eventual champion Senegal. Then, it was back to the U.S. after having some visa issues sorted out. That’s when the phone calls out west began.
“When I was traded to San Jose, before everything, I had a good conversation with the coach [Matias Almeyda], and the feeling was very good,” Monteiro said. “His mindset and everything, and the plans that he had felt very good. For me, it’s a very big challenge and I’m really excited to be here.”
It’s not often a big name player, and a big money contract get traded within MLS, but Monteiro was becoming surplus to Union head coach Jim Curtin, and his role in Philadelphia was evolving away from one the player would accept. So when the trade to San Jose was finalized, he took the move in stride.
“It happened really quickly. For me, it was a little surprise, and it wasn’t necessary for me to leave, but Philly had other plans to play the young guys,” Monteiro said. “And San Jose did something that Philly did not do for me, and that’s why this move was a better choice. I feel good, because this is a big challenge for me and I am happy I am here now.”
Further conversations with Leitch and Almeyda energized the Earthquakes newcomer, who joins a roster that is heavy in the midfield, and right away he accepted the role they had to offer. Monteiro was also intrigued by Almeyda’s goals for 2022, his fourth in charge of the Quakes, and what he saw for the upcoming season.
“The first thing he said, which is also in my mind, was that he wants to win the league, and that’s what I am going for,” Monteiro said. “He was telling me what kind of player I am and what we need in the team. He felt like I can make a big difference; for me, that’s a big challenge. Like I said, I like challenges, I like when I have pressure on me. He told me how he wants to play and what he needs from a player, and he said I have that, so I am excited.
“He has given me a lot of trust and told me I need to just be myself.”
Jun 23, 2021; Chester, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Union midfielder Jamiro Monteiro (10) celebrates his goal against the Columbus Crew during the first half at Subaru Park . Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Monteiro missed the majority of the Quakes preseason camp and its daily exercises in on-field formation and strategy, but his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations and his personal workouts have kept him sharp, he said. And coming from the Union, a team like San Jose that builds its roster without many headliners, he understands how vital it is to create a cohesive playing style.
“You need to be together and be on one page,” Monteiro said. “If you work hard, that is the most important thing. Individual players can make a change, but if you do it together, you will be more successful.”
At the time he addressed the media, Monteiro had only completed one full training session with his new teammates, but he already felt welcome and expected he’d grow more comfortable in how he integrated into the team ahead of San Jose’s season opener this weekend against the New York Red Bulls. Whether or not he’ll play a significant part in that game, Monteiro already had another important date circled on his calendar – a road match at his former team, the Philadelphia Union, in just the third week of the season. It will be a homecoming, for certain, but his goal will be different than it previously was at Subaru Park.
“I love the fans of Philly, and everyone knows how much I appreciate Philly,” Monteiro said. “For me, it is a club I will never forget, and it will be weird to return there in another jersey, but, to be honest, I will give everything to win.”
Thanks for reading!
Hello, everyone! I appreciate you for making it this far down the page. I expect it’s because you love reading about the Earthquakes, and Quakes Epicenter has become an important stop on your journey around the Internet, but let me take the opportunity to make my introduction. I am looking forward to sharing more stories from around the club as the 27th season of MLS kicks off, with plans to write a weekly column of news and views. I’ll throw in some extras as well, especially to provide you with additional insights and opinions from myself and others. This will be my 15th year covering the Quakes in one capacity or another, and I’ll be bringing all of that experience to bear. I’ll listen to you, the readers, as much as possible as well. Please feel free to connect with me in the comments or on social media, and I’ll be sure to respond as best I can. Here’s to what is sure to be a memorable 2022.
