Earthquakes add more ex-Revs to challenge powerful Crew

When San Jose takes to the field in Columbus against the Crew on Saturday, in the wake of two trades this week, the Earthquakes could also be known as the New England Revolution West.

First-year Quakes coach Bruce Arena has six players who previously played for him with the Revolution. The latest additions -- defender DeJuan Jones and midfielder Noel Buck -- joined the team on Tuesday.

Being dealt is not easy, but it will be a smoother transition for Jones. All he has to do Saturday is switch locker rooms after being acquired from the Crew (5-1-3, 18 points).

"DeJuan Jones is a welcomed addition to our team," Arena said. "He is an experienced player in the league and has the versatility to play in both our backline and midfield. I look forward to again working with DeJuan."

Buck came via a trade with New England as Arena searches for a spark. The Earthquakes (3-5-1, 10 points) won their first two matches, but injuries have contributed to a 1-5-1 mark since.

"We're going to the Columbus Crew and they're flying as a team and as a whole culture and club," San Jose midfielder Ian Harkes said. "So, it's going to be tough, but not impossible, and we have to get a desperate kind of three points now."

The Crew made a deal on Wednesday with the acquisition of forward Ibrahim Aliyu, who had nine goals in 66 MLS matches for the Houston Dynamo since the 2023 season.

It was a minor deal compared to the Crew's acquisition of Philadelphia Union career goals leader Daniel Gazdag on April 11. He made his first start in the stinging 1-0 loss to Inter Miami on April 19 in Cleveland.

The Crew had 16 shot attempts -- 12 coming in the second half -- with Gazdag getting a team-high four shots, but none on target.

"At this point, it's pretty annoying," he said. "It's a positive thing that I was able to get chances, but obviously I will like to score in the next game. I will work for that."

--Field Level Media