The Daily Heron: New homes for the ‘King’ and Harry Neville, plus bloody Diego Luna stars for USMNT | OneFootball

New Quakes coach Bruce Arena brings ‘King Josef’ to San Jose

Josef Martinez — “King Josef” to his legions of supporters — hopes to revive his career and the San Jose Earthquakes fortunes in 2025. Earlier this month the hapless Quakes announced that they had signed the former Heron striker, along with exciting attacker Chicho Arango, to help league coaching legend Bruce Arena rebuild the 2024 Wooden Spoon “winner” (the Spoon is an unofficial recognition assigned to the MLS team which earns the fewest points in a season).

The Venezuelan exploded onto the MLS scene in 2018, when he scored a then league-record 31 goals for Atlanta United, leading them to the MLS Cup and earning the league’s Most Valuable Player award. Martinez suffered a torn ACL in the first match of 2020 which has diminished, but not stolen, his productivity. He scored 12 goals in 40 appearances for Inter Miami in 2023 and 14 in 26 appearances last year.

“We came here for a new project, we came here to win, we came here to change the minds of the guys who were here last year,” Martínez told Jaime Iribarri in an article for MLSsoccer.com of his and Arango’s decisions. “We know it’s tough, but it’s step by step.

Martinez’ career boasts one of the league’s great “What Ifs?” — What if the King hadn’t injured his knee? How many goals might he have scored? How many trophies might he have won? Those are moot questions at this point, and at 31 Martinez isn’t likely to recreate his earlier feats. But I, for one, hope he thrives with his new club. I wish him, and the Quakes, well this season — except on May 14, when the Herons visit San Jose.

Harvey Neville signs with Phoenix Rising

Former Inter Miami defender Harvey Neville, son of Manchester United legend and one-time Herons manager Phil Neville, signed with USL Champioship side Phoenix Rising FC earlier this week.

“I’m thrilled to join Phoenix Rising, one of the best clubs in the USL. Getting the chance to learn and grow under Coach (Pa-Modou Kah) was a big draw for me, and it’s clear the club is building something special here,” Neville said in a story posted at the club’s website. “I’m eager to help the team chase trophies this season and prove myself as one of the best fullbacks in the league.”

Neville plays primarily as a right back, but can play on the left side and has some experience in midfield. He appeared in 11 MLS matches and three Open Cup matches for Inter Miami over the 2022 and 2023 seasons; he’s also played 44 games in MLS NEXT PRO with Inter Miami II and Portland Timbers 2, and appeared in one match for the Republic of Ireland’s U19 squad.