Huckerby waves goodbye to MLS?

A rough season for the San Jose Earthquakes only got worse with the news that star midfielder Darren Huckerby was lost for the season after undergoing hip surgery last Friday. The Newcomer of the Year winner in MLS last season, and a player San Jose hoped would lead a dynamic attacking offense in 2009, was limited to just 14 appearances in an injury marred season. With Huckerby struggling, the Earthquakes fortunes declined and the team sits bottom of the Western Conference standings.

Huckerby came to San Jose with a history of hip injury problems, but he has managed to stave off any long-term problems through physical therapy and pain relievers. However, already late in his career at age 33, the hip problem became more debilitating this season. Huckerby and the coaching staff knew something would need to be done before long. San Jose coach Frank Yallop was quoted as saying “He was sore most of the time when he was training. Being the pro he is Darren kept battling through it.”

With the 2009 season effectively lost for the Earthquakes, the timing was right for Huckerby to undergo the surgery. As performed by esteemed surgeon Dr. Marc J. Philippon at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colorado, the procedure involved repairing a torn labrum (the cartilage surrounding the hip socket) in his right hip. While the procedure was successful, the recovery period will extend through the end of the Earthquakes season.

Might Huckerby have played his last game in MLS? Having professed he would only ever play for the San Jose Earthquakes in the U.S. and his former club Norwich City in England, his options for next season seem limited. While many expect the Canaries to bring back Huckerby after his MLS contract runs out in December, new manager Paul Lambert may not want the Norwich City favorite back on his squad. Lambert has indicated that he wants to take his League One team forward, and has taken steps away from the relegated club’s recent past, “I think you’ve got to get them (new players) young and hungry, you tend to find it is more beneficial to you than those that are experienced and have had their careers.”

This is potentially good news for San Jose, especially if Huckerby makes a full recovery. When in good health, the left-side midfielder has electrified the Earthquakes crowds with a fast paced attack and some spectacular finishes. San Jose supporters can only hope they haven’t seen the last of Darren Huckerby.

Francisco Lima with Roma in a Champions League Match from the AP

Reviewing the signings thus far in the transfer period, Red Bull New York and San Jose have been the big players. Juan Carlos Osorio has acquired several players most notably Venezuelan national team fixture Jorge Rojas. San Jose has acquired two big names in Francisco Lima who is now 37 but whose record speaks for itself and Darren Huckerby whose profile has been discussed regularly on this site and on the American Soccer Show.

Chicago obviously made the biggest move of the summer by acquiring Brian McBride. However, McBride will be available in mid August at the earliest for his hometown club and as it stands now the Fire by giving up Chad Barrett with Calen Carr injured will be forced to rely on Thomasz Frankowski for scoring. Ouch!

Toronto FC desperate for attacking options has apparently acquired Barrett from Chicago and is negotiating with Paul Dickov the former Scottish national team and Manchester City forward. TFC was this past week eliminated from the Canadian Championship by the Montreal Impact thanks to Roberto Brown, a player that TFC would have been wise to consider signing a year ago when he was waived by the Rapids.

Houston is the two time defending champion and one of only two MLS team remaining in Superliga. That has not stopped the Dynamo from dumping disappointing Franco Carracio and signing Nate Jaqua while acquiring Kei Kamara from San Jose. Kamara however will be unavailable when World Cup qualifying resumes as he has become a fixture this past month on the Sierre Leone national team. Kansas City brought Josh Wolff back to MLS and he scored on his debut last week in Columbus.

The one team who needs desperate help that has made little movement thus far is FC Dallas. With the possibility of losing Juan Toja and Kenny Cooper in the near term, what are the Hoops long term plans and ambitions?

What are everyone’s thoughts on the winner and losers thus far in the transfer market?