SAN JOSE — The Earthquakes have created a youth movement under the stewardship of general manager Jesse Fioranelli.
Now they’ve made a historic signing with a 14-year-old goalkeeper from Salinas.
The Quakes announced Monday they have signed Emmanuel Ochoa, who at 14 years and 191 days is the second-youngest player ever to sign a Major League Soccer contract. Only Freddy Adu was younger when he signed with D.C. United in 2004 at age 14 and 168 days.
“The work we have done to prepare ourselves for the future at the goalkeeping position gave us an opportunity to offer a contract to Emi, even at his young age,” Fioranelli said in a statement.