The San Jose Earthquakes are looking to make the playoffs for the first time in seemingly forever, but announced on Monday that they acquired midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy from the New York Red Bulls for a 2013 international spot and a conditional 2013 draft pick.
Ballouchy, a seven-year MLS veteran, has netted 13 goals and 24 assists in 174 career games with three different MLS teams, He has been rather productive with the Red Bulla, scoring four goals and four assists in 51 appearances with New York.
San Jose head coach Frank Yallop had nothing but praises for the 29-year old native of Morocco:
"I've admired his play over the seven years he's been in the league," said Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop. "He's steadily improved since joining MLS. Mehdi's a good player, a great addition to our team and we're looking forward to having him here in San Jose."
so far in 2012 Ballouchy has one goal and two assists in 10 starts (16 appearances) for the Red Bulls. In 2011, he had two goals and one assist while starting 17 of the 29 matches he played.
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