The Fire announced on Friday that they have traded forward Quincy Amarikwa to the San Jose Earthquakes, his first professional club, for veteran defender Ty Harden.
Harden, 31, was selected by the Earthquakes in stage two of the 2012 MLS Re-Entry Draft. In three seasons with the club he appeared in 26 games. The eighth-year MLS veteran notched his 100th career appearance against the Fire on March 22, scoring the game-winning goal for the Earthquakes in a 2-1 victory at Avaya Stadium.
“Ty is a steady, dependable player who knows this league well,” Fire Head Coach and Director of Soccer Frank Yallop said in a press release. “I’ve known Ty for a number of years. He’s a solid veteran presence and will provide depth to our side as we enter the second half of the campaign. I’d like to thank Quincy for his time in Chicago and wish him the best with his new side."
The 27-year-old Amarikwa signed with the Fire prior to the 2013 season. In three seasons with the club, he tallied 11 goals in 60 appearances. With the emergence of an attacking trio of Designated Players and Mike Magee closing in on his return to the side, Yallop felt the need to add depth to his back line.
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"Seeing Mike fit and healthy, it gives us a chance to strengthen another area," Yallop added after training Friday. "I thought we needed cover and Ty's a center back. It helps out on that front.
"He's an out-and-out center back. It gives us a little bit of scope in the window as well to try to look at what we've got and strengthen if we can in the right areas, wherever I feel we need to. We're in a bit of a skid at the moment, but spirits are up and we've just got to keep going."
Harden will re-unite with Yallop, who coached him in San Jose in 2013. He will not be eligible to play for the Men in Red in the U.S. Open Cup, however, as he is cup-tied to the Earthquakes. On July 8, the start of the secondary transfer window, Harden will be available for selection in MLS play.