Good morning San Jose

Here's a question to ponder for the San Jose Earthquakes fans who are just logging on to their computers this morning. With American forward Kamani Hill and Derby manager Billy Davies looking for work, is it that far-fetched to consider a scenario where Hill and Derby winger Eddie Lewis wind up with the Earthquakes?

Hill, the former UCLA standout who was recently waived by German club Wolfsburg, is from Berkely while Lewis was an original member of the MLS San Jose Clash and a former teammate of current Earthquakes GM John Doyle.

San Jose definitely needs forwards and Hill needs to go somewhere he is actually going to play regularly. The Quakes did acquire left winger Ivan Guerrero in the expansion draft but there is no guarantee they will keep him. Besides, if Eddie Lewis is ready to come back then you have to sign him. Yes, he's 33 but he's still a quality player. The real question is whether Lewis is ready to bail on Derby. Wouldn't you want to jump off that sinking ship if you could? The fact that Davies just got the boot has to leave Lewis wondering whether he wants to stick around much longer.

San Jose also made its first post-expansion draft trade today, sending midfielder Brian Carroll to the Columbus Crew for forward Kei Kamara. The deal is good news for Kamara as well as for former Red Bull Joe Vide, who just said goodbye to his stiffest competition for San Jose's starting defensive midfield spot (for now).

What say you Quakes fans (and another other MLS fans)? Share your thoughts on Hill and Lewis being 'Quakes, as well as today's trade, below.

Comments

[jay]

kamani should make the move immediately - its his best option.

eddie should wait it out with derby. premiership ball will do him (and maybe the national team) some good.

[Joamiq]

I agree with Jay. Kamani would be well served by coming to San Jose. Eddie Lewis can still hack it in the Premiership, and if Derby go down I don't expect him to go with them.

[eastlachiva]

Arena is going to Derby.

[Tony in Quakeland (Tony M)]

I floated the Hill to SJ idea the moment it looked like he'd become available. It makes perfect sense.

Lewis would provide a steadying influence on the team, which already has a serviceable defense (assuming they keep what they drafted). Adding Hill and Lewis would make this team immediately respectable. I hope both happen - but I have my doubts about Lewis.

[James]

eastlachiva: No, no, no. Arena is coaching the English National Team. :)

Since San Jose already pulled he trigger on Brian Caroll (traded to Columbus for a guy I didn't even know existed), it looks like they're opening up even more cap space to do this very thing.

[Andrew]

could they have gotten more for carrol?

itd be great if kamani hill comes to MLS. I hope he comes more than Lewis, the more good looks we get at these young yanks the better.

[Elliott]

Now I'm not saying that Kamani Hill won't leave Wolfsburg during the winter transfer season, but last week DuNord posted this:

"Greg Seltzer of American Soccer Daily dropped me a line to let us know that American forward Kamani Hill was NOT released by Wolfsburg. Although it might happen in the January transfer window. Hill does not want to leave the club."

[Zungazan]

Kei Kamara is a good pickup. He is young and ready to have a breakout season. I believe he played college ball in Cali so he may be more comfortable in SJ.

Also how about trade for Burpo! I thought he was the best unprotected GK and was bummed we didn't pick him. Well there we go.

Go Earthquakes!

[Fuego Fanatico]

At 33 years of age, Lewis' time with the USMNT isn't going to last much longer. Staying in England with Derby will do nothing for Lewis or the Nats and it's silly to suggest otherwise.

That said, I thought Lewis should have returned to the U.S. last summer. There's quite a few Americans overseas who are playing for clubs with no real shot at Europe and could probably collect a comparable paycheck stateside. Wolff and Berhalter, I'm looking at you guys.

[Nate SF/CA]

There is some weight to Hill being dropped.

I can't find the article after a quick search, but I believe I've read somewhere that he'd want to try his luck elsewhere in Europe before a move back to MLS. Perhaps Yallop can persuade another young American who stalled in Germany.

[Zungazan]

Oh and yes please come back Eddie. He's the left-footed David Beckham!

[h4]

Is Hill just available to take, or would there need to be draft? Or will MLS make up a rule for this on-the-fly?

[Tom]

What makes anyone think Hill could cut it here?

Gee, he was picked up for nothing by a desperate coach with no real cash to spend.

He got thrown in the fray immediately and looked completely over his head.
Yes, I saw 4 of his appearnaces.

If the guy was coming from college to MLS there would be hope he could contribute, but that't it.

Since he was in Europe he must be good. A Euro caoch saw this, so he must be able to make an impact here.

Between what I know form sources close to him about his work ethic, and what I have seen form his actual playing ability, W'burg & U20's, and throw in how quickly he mas demoted in W'burg, I am willing to wager anyone here that this kid will have little impact.

He wasn't even deemd project material by the new coach. No accident. Augie was desperate and had zero cash. Thus the hail mary for Hill.

I can think of a few college players I would rather have right now.

It's the players actual abilty folks. Not where they got go for a few mths.
Sorry. Get ready to be dissappointed.

[JJH]

Well, the Quakes have had good luck in the past with bringing back young American forwards who couldn't get a break in Germany, so I hope they're at least looking at Hill.

As for Eddie, no thanks and he'd never come anyway -- he's bringing home way too many British pounds to switch to dollars now.

[flyingoose]

i expected carroll to go, but for kei kamara?

[Adam Spangler]

I can't believe RBNY hasn't signed Lewis to a DP spot.

[alex]

Yes staying with Derby won't do much for lewis, except make him much more money than playing in MLS. That's where the problem lies.

[Dominghosa]

Hill may looked in over his head because he was playing in THE BUNDESLIGA.
I'm sure any college forward would struggle, no matter who it was.
I'd still like to see Hill try to catch on with another team in a top Euro league.
Lewis would be a good catch, if he's ready to come back home.
As for the first SJ trade, Kamara is three years younger, cheaper (than Carroll) and gives the team an attacking option off the bench. He also has the talent to surprise as a starter.
But you'd think SJ would get something/someone else in that trade.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Curious to see what Hill is capable of... as mentioned the Bundesliga is too often ignored for its talent...

[Eugene]

If Greg Seltzer said that Kamani Hill has not been released by Wolfsburg, then it's true. Still, I think Kamani should look to make a move -- his career doesn't appear to be going anywhere at Wolfsburg.

[Tom]

He looked over his head in the B'liga and he will in MLS.

Players with speed, but zero first touch and vision are an American staple as we know.

Add a questionable work ethic and you have an MLS bust or squad player.

There were assumptions here that he would be an excellent pickup and by some that he would be worth large money by MLS standards.

Quite simply absurd.

He's done nothing to warrant anything but a chance to compete for a squad spot here. Hell, at least a guy like Lee Nguyen actually has skill and has done weel when healthy in the PSV reserves. There is a glimmer there.

Nothing to see here.

[dawn lewis]

It would be great to have Eddie Lewis come back to play in San Jose. He has played in two World Cups and is a real class player. We are all hoping to see him play at home again.