San Jose Earthquakes: Matias Almeyda a man to be excited about

The San Jose Earthquakes surprisingly appointed Matias Almeyda as their new head coach in October. This is a man, however, to get excited about.

For the San Jose Earthquakes, it has not been a nice ride. Staggeringly, they finished seven points worse off than any other MLS team last season, conceding a horrifying 71 goals, also a Western Conference-leading tally in utter incompetence, and finished 27 points — yes, 27 — off the playoff pace.

And unfortunately, last season’s nightmare is not alone in its reality.

In 2017, they did manage to sneak into the playoffs, but they had a goal difference of -21, a clear indication that they finished far higher than their quality would suggest. In 2016, they finished above only the Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference and had the second-worst goal difference in the league.

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In the last two years, San Jose have cycled through three different managers, undergone major and largely unsuccessful roster turnover, especially defensively, and grown somewhat anonymous to many of their local fans. The Earthquakes really are in a mess, and with little to look forward, it seemed as though the future was not only bleak but boring.

And then they made a very un-Earthquake decision, and by that, I simply mean smart. They hired one of the best coaches in South American football and handed him the reins to their squad and club. In October 2018, just before the end of last season, San Jose announced that Matias Almeyda, formerly of Chivas and River Plate, would be their new head coach. It was a ground-shaking appointment.

On Sunday, Almeyda was unveiled to the San Jose faithful. In a vicious downpour, approximately 2,000 people turned up at Avaya Stadium to give Almeyda what resembled more like a rock star’s welcome than a manager’s. He was undoubtedly the star of the show, and San Jose fans, even in the rain, were more than happy to show their support, adorning him as their newly appointed messiah.

And Almeyda responded. With the fans huddled in the rain, Almeyda came to join them, off the sheltered stage, conducting a Q and A right in front of his and club’s supporters. He beckoned his coaches to do the same. He wanted to establish a connection between himself, the club and the fans. He did not fail.

There is more than just charisma to get excited about, however. Almeyda won the CONCACAF Champions League with Chivas, promoted River to the first division in Argentina, and was named as one of the prospects for the Mexican national team job. He is not just a raved coach on the sidelines. He is experienced, accomplished and, best of all, successful. In fact, when the appointment was made, some were questioning why he wanted to come to San Jose at all.

This is the man that San Jose have chosen to back. Impassioned, often overly enthused, but intelligent and proven. Let’s hope this ride is smoother than the last.