The San Jose Earthquakes have admired midfielder Cordell Cato for a couple of years. On Friday, they finally locked him up officially.
The Quakes announced they dealt for the Trinidadian youth international, sending a fourth-round pick in the 2014 MLS Supplemental Draft to the Seattle Sounders in exchange. Cato (above) had been in San Jose camp this preseason with Seattle's permission; the Quakes also had him in briefly at the tail end of the 2011 season.
Cato, 20, had one assist in eight appearances during his first MLS season in 2012 for Seattle. The Trinidad and Tobago native also scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 result for Sounders FC against the Earthquakes during US Open Cup play in July. All told, the speedy Trinidadian had one goal and two assists in four USOC matches last year.
“He came in a year ago for training and did very well,” Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop said in a statement. “We know quite a bit about Cordell. He’s a young, exciting, pacy attacking player who adds another dimension to our squad.”
In addition to his experience during the MLS regular season and USOC, Cato appeared in three CONCACAF Champions League matches for Seattle, recording one assist in the process while helping his squad advance to the quarterfinals. Prior to joining MLS, Cato represented the Trinidad and Tobago at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship.
“Cordell is a speedy winger with a lot of upside. He has the raw attributes that we’re looking for and just needs some experience on the field,” Earthquakes general manager John Doyle added in a statement.
San Jose also on Friday announced the signing of rookies Adam Jahn and Tommy Muller. The 21-year-old Muller was San Jose’s first round pick (No. 15 overall) in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. He captained a Georgetown squad that reached the 2012 NCAA College Cup final in Hoover, Ala.
The 5-foot-11 center back was a three-year starter, scoring four goals and recording four assists in 64 career appearances. He was an All-Big East Third Team selection in 2012. As a youth player, Muller was a two-time member of the Super Y Olympic Developmental Program National Team. He also played 13 seasons with club team Orlando FC.
Jahn, 22, was a four-year starter for Stanford before the Earthquakes selected him in the first round (No. 15 overall) of the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft. The target man had 16 goals and 10 assists in 65 career appearances for the Cardinal. He was an All-Pac 12 and All-Far West Region selection as a junior in 2011 and a senior in 2012. Jahn has also seen time for U.S. youth teams, making the camp roster for the U-20s in July of 2010 and suiting up for the U-18s as a prep with Jesuit High School in Carmichael, Calif.
Per league and team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.