Convey, Yallop excited about future

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- It's funny how a chance meeting can set in motion a series of events. No one knows this better than Bobby Convey, who after running into San Jose Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop last December in England, now finds himself on the other side of the world suiting up for Yallop's side.

After spending last week practicing with the team in Los Angeles, Tuesday marked Convey's first training session with the Quakes in northern California, and the Philadelphia native looked upbeat as he took in his new surroundings. Yet Convey's thoughts also drifted back to that December meeting when he bumped into Yallop.

At the time, Convey was clearly on the outs with his club, Reading. A knee injury suffered in 2006 knocked him out of the lineup for an extended period, and playing time had become scarce thereafter. The team even told Convey last summer that he was free to go elsewhere, although the timing of the message, coming as it did just two days before the summer transfer window closed, meant he was stuck there for at least another six months.

But when Convey saw that the MLS Generation adidas side (a select team comprised of younger MLS players) would be playing against Reading's reserve team, he decided to take in the match with his wife. Then after spotting Yallop on the sidelines he thought it was time to catch up with his old mentor, who was an assistant coach with D.C. United during Convey's rookie season in 2000.

Convey confided in Yallop that he was looking to perhaps return to MLS. With the Quakes sitting atop the allocation order for returning MLS players, San Jose were perfectly poised to benefit should Convey return.

"My wife and I went to dinner with Frank because I've known him for so long," said Convey. "He said, 'What do you want to do? We have the first pick.' It kind of went from there. There was other MLS interest, but with San Jose having the first pick it wasn't really up to anyone else. It was either come here or wait until the summer and I didn't really want to wait until the summer."

Given the Quakes' position in the allocation line, it's possible that the deal might have come to pass without the two running into one another. But the meeting did get the wheels spinning in Yallop's head. The San Jose was manager was keen to acquire his former protйgй, but with the Quakes a bit hamstrung by the league's salary cap, the decision wasn't so straightforward.

Eventually after several conversations between Yallop and general manager John Doyle, the choice to acquire the U.S. international was made.

"Me and John were thinking maybe we couldn't afford [Convey]," said Yallop. "But then we looked at each other and said, "Let's do it. He's a good player.' And you don't get this kind of opportunity very often. He's only 25 years old, which for me is great."

Now that Convey is firmly in the San Jose fold, his future is rife with possibility, whereas just a few months ago, his prospects at both club and international level were looking bleak.

"It was miserable over [in England] knowing I wasn't going to play," said Convey. "It's just nice for my wife and I to come back here and start playing again and know you have a game on Saturday instead of knowing your going to go watch."

After spending almost his entire career on the left flank, a big challenge for Convey will be adapting to a new role as an attacking midfielder. But the newest member of the Quakes is convinced that he can thrive in such a setting, especially given some limited time in the spot while with D.C. United.

"It's just getting used to playing there again, it's a transition," said Convey. "The [midfield] line's always at your back, so you have to be a little bit more aware. But I'm sure I can adapt easily."

One aspect of Convey's play that is prized by Yallop is the player's versatility. Convey's initial practice sessions have seen even lining up as a second striker, and Yallop didn't rule out playing him anywhere in midfield. That suits Convey just fine, who is clearly grateful for the opportunity to resurrect his career.

"[Yallop] is giving me the opportunity to play now," said Convey. "He's someone I know, someone I trust, and someone who can get the best out of me.

"It's an opportunity to come here and play. It's not about money, it's not anything else. It's about playing and enjoying being back in the States."