Earthquakes Bolster Roster with Allocation Money from Chicago Fire FC
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes have secured $350,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) from Chicago Fire FC in exchange for a 2026 international roster slot, the club announced today, .
The transaction is intended to provide the Earthquakes with increased flexibility as they finalize their roster ahead of the upcoming 2026 Major League Soccer season. The team is actively shaping its squad and this acquisition of GAM will aid in those efforts.
The Earthquakes will begin their 2026 MLS campaign on Saturday, , with a match against Sporting Kansas City at PayPal Park. The club will simultaneously launch its “One Ball Can Change a Life” campaign, distributing 5,000 full-size soccer balls to attendees.
Fans interested in securing seats for all 2026 Earthquakes home games are encouraged to purchase season tickets. Single-game tickets for matches at PayPal Park, as well as for the California Clasico against the LA Galaxy on July 25 at Stanford Stadium, and the September 19 match against LAFC, are currently available to the general public. Group ticket information for parties of 10 or more is also available.
Chicago Fire FC’s acquisition of the international roster slot comes as they look to finalize their own roster ahead of the 2026 season. The Fire acquired the slot for $350,000 in GAM. According to reports, Chicago Fire FC now needs to acquire only two more international slots to be fully compliant with MLS roster regulations.
The acquisition of the international slot by Chicago Fire FC facilitates the eligibility of Puso Dithejane, a winger who signed with the Fire in January from TS Galaxy in the South African Premiership, to fully participate with the MLS club after receiving his P-1 visa. Dithejane expressed his desire to progress his career overseas and compete at the MLS level.
Chicago Fire FC also signed Mbekezeli Mbokazi from Orlando Pirates, though he is still awaiting visa approval.
In a separate transaction, the Chicago Fire acquired two 2026 international roster slots from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for $600,000 in general allocation money in 2026 and an additional $250,000 in 2027.
Transaction Details: San Jose Earthquakes traded a 2026 international roster slot to Chicago Fire FC in exchange for $350,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM).
