San Jose Earthquakes: Gilbert Fuentes and the youth experiment

The San Jose Earthquakes are committing to a youth experiment. And Gilbert Fuentes, despite a recent clavicle injury, is an example of their process.

The pandemic suspension of MLS play didn’t prove an injury-free period for the San Jose Earthquakes. Hot teen prospect midfielder Gilbert Fuentes underwent surgery on May 25 for a broken clavicle that he suffered at home.

So far, Fuentes has come off the bench in two games, comprising only three minutes. He will now miss the next three months and the entirety of MLS’ Orlando tournament which sees the season restart in July.

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Gilbert Fuentes signed with the Quakes in 2018 at age 15 but has been handed most of his pro action with Reno 1868 FC of USL Championship. He scored his first professional goal with Reno in their 2020 season-opener win against Tacoma Defiance. With three minutes to go, the right-footed Fuentes grabbed a cross from midfielder Christiano Francois, firing it low and into the net, sealing a 3-1 victory.

With such little opportunity at the MLS level, supporters don’t entirely know what to expect of Fuentes. Yet, the Earthquakes believe in his ability. That’s why they signed him to a Homegrown Player contract in 2018, the youngest-ever signing by Earthquakes at age 16.

Reports show superior decision-making ability on the pitch, backed by promising speed. With that speed, he demonstrates promising ball control and dribbling ability. So in an organization enthusiastic about their homegrown players, he remains one of only eight such players on the San Jose Earthquakes roster and one of only five age 18 or younger.

Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli watches the team’s academies closely and works with staff to identify starters, contenders, and developing players who should be made aware of the pathway to signing. Fuentes is one signed by Fioranelli as a youth.

The Earthquakes seek to grow competitively by scouting effectively and, as Fioranelli puts it, developing players really well in order to compete with MLS teams who have deep purses for player acquisition. He told NBC Sports:

"“How important is it that the younger players have a pathway in mind? The way we look at our roster is: we have a starting player, we have a contender, and we have a younger player – a homegrown – between the first team, (USL affiliate) Reno (1868 FC), and the academy. And that’s with a long-term view [of the player]. The sooner the young player contends or actually starts, the more value it actually represents to the club, as you might imagine.”"

Fuentes knows his pathway and Fioranelli says it’s clear. Under Earthquakes head coach Matias Almeyda, the midfielder has developed dramatically, both physically and in confidence. The team has committed to giving Fuentes the season he needs to produce the impact they want in post-season competition. Now he just needs to get fit and help fulfil the Earthquakes youth experiment.