The Earthquakes continued their upgrade this week by reaching a deal to bring back striker Scott Sealy of Trinidad and Tobago.
A few days after signing Jon Busch, the 2008 MLS goalkeeper of the year, San Jose expects to have Sealy for its match April 10 at Chicago, a league source said Friday.
The deal won't be official until completed by Major League Soccer; Sealy, 28, also needs to secure a work visa but should join the club today.
Sealy gave the Quakes a big lift in 2008 when he had three goals and three assists in 14 matches after being traded from the Kansas City Wizards.
San Jose's management tried to re-sign Sealy after the '08 season, but he joined Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel, where he commanded a higher salary. The Quakes retained his MLS rights, and when the player became a free agent this year, they negotiated a deal.
"Scott would add a lot of depth to our team," general manager John Doyle said. "He's a proven goal scorer. We never wanted Scott to leave."
With the addition of Sealy, the Quakes now boast one of the league's deepest front lines that includes Ryan Johnson, Cornell Glen, Quincy Amarikwa and Brazil's Eduardo, who has yet to play.
Coach Frank Yallop said the Quakes missed Sealy's skills last year when it started poorly and never recovered while finishing last in the Western Conference.
San Jose will need to waive a player to add Sealy to the 24-man roster.