Earthquakes sign Canadian Midfielder Ribeiro

Late Addition Follows Week of Transfer Activity

June 13

Late on Friday, the San Jose Earthquakes announced the addition of Canadian international midfielder Antonio Ribeiro. He will count as an international on the Earthquakes senior roster and may play against Seattle today

“Antonio has a good engine and covers a lot of ground,” said general manager of soccer operations John Doyle. “He is a good ball-winner and Frank (Yallop) knows him well so we are happy to bring him to San Jose.”

The 5′9″ Portuguese-born midfielder debuted for Canada in June of 2007 against Venezuela after making a number of appearances for youth national teams. Ribeiro was also selected for the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

From San Jose Website: The Portuguese native made his professional debut in 2000 with the Montreal Impact, making 11 appearances and one start that year. Ribiero had a total of 119 appearances, 62 games started, 10 goals and nine assists as a member of the Montreal Impact from 2000-2001, 2003-2008. In the playoffs, Ribeiro had a total of 14 appearances and two goals. Ribiero also participated in the CONCACAF Champions League in 2008 and played four matches. Overall, he helped the Impact to one A-League (now USL First Division) Championship in 2004, three Voyageurs Cups, a trophy awarded to the top team in home-and-home matchups between Canadian teams in the USL First Division throughout the season and two regular season titles (2005, 2006). In his last season with the Impact in 2008, he helped the team win the Nutrilite Canadian Championship to help the team reach the CONCACAF Champions League.

His best season with the Impact came in 2004 when he recorded 28 appearances, 18 starts, one goal and two assists, while helping the team to secure the franchise’s first double, the USL First Division Championship as well the Voyageurs Cup. In 2005, Ribeiro scored the winning goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps to clinch the regular season title for the Impact and secure their third straight Voyageurs Cup.

Already this week, Nick Garcia who had played every minute for the Quakes was traded to Toronto, ex-Sounder Cam Weaver was sent to Houston and Chris Wondolowski came in from the Texas club. Now they have added Ribiero and look already to be a very different side from the one that has been propping up the Western Conference.

Subscribe to Radio Sounders Show (The shows will download to your I Tunes automatically)

Commission an Award-Winning Prost Amerika Match Report for your child, school or team. Send us an email for further details.*
*Discount for Washington Youth Soccer Members. Perfect for a birthday present too.