Bobby Convey, the highest-paid player on the San Jose Earthquakes roster, told Elliott Almond he won't return next season and wants San Jose fans to know why.

"I don't want to leave here with people thinking I wasn't trying or didn't care," said Convey, who earned $336,000 for the 2011 season. "I cared a lot. I really wanted to stay here. It's not going to happen. There is no chance I am coming back. The offer that I was given was completely unacceptable," leaving him feeling "between sad and mad."

The Quakes failed to make the MLS playoffs and won just twice in the past 20 MLS games. Convey, 28, hasn't played since Aug. 27 because of a neck strain and sore knee. But the player said Thursday that he has been "100 percent fit and completely healthy" to go recently.

"It's up to me to pick the team, and that's it," Coach Frank Yallop said when relayed Convey's words. "Our two wide guys have been good. That's the only reason."