Summary: One of the fine, rising color commentators in Major League Soccer, former San Jose and current Earthquakes broadcaster Kelly Gray gives us a first up close look at the 2012 Supporters Shield winners who have brought in a number of new players who could feature prominently after a campaign that ended abruptly in the Western Conference playoffs. We begin with a reminder of how unique this team really is and how the club continues to defy the numbers with late goals, huge comebacks and an ability to unearth remarkable scoring talent such as first year striker Adam Jahn who was drafted 15th overall in the Supplemental Draft out of Stanford University and has already hit the ground running as an early rookie of the year candidate. We also examine the story behind MLS discipline target of late Steven Lenhart and Kelly gives us a deeper look at who he is as a player, why he might be understood and in many ways does set the tone for the close-knit group of Earthquakes who have taken the intensity of a season ago and begun to pace themselves over a long season that will include CONCACAF Champions League later this summer. We also examine the arrival of Walter Martinez, how San Jose is becoming a rising organization in Major League Soccer because of its reputation in finding great talent and excellent value for top level MLS players. A lot comes down to some hard work by the organization, but the tone is clearly set by the group itself and the chemistry is something certainly in the forefront of what Frank Yallop has begun to assemble in Northern California outside of the normal big city glare. This is our first look at Adam Jahn and looks to be something quite special in terms of young US strikers and should be one to watch in 2013 and beyond.
