San Jose Earthquakes: Key highlights of 2020 schedule
By Ivan Ornelas
Major League Soccer has dropped their 2020 schedule. Here is what the San Jose Earthquakes have to look forward to, including several highlight fixtures.
Earlier this month, Major League Soccer has dropped their 2020 schedule. While there is still lots of the offseason to go and plenty of work for every club to do, it provides the opportunity to spin forward and forecast for what is to come in the new year.
With that in mind, let’s see what the San Jose Earthquakes have to look forward to and when (all times Pacific Standard Time). You can see the full San Jose schedule here.
Opening Day
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Toronto FC, Avaya Stadium, Saturday, February 29, 2:15 pm
The first home game of any season is an exciting day as hope springs eternal, and they don’t get much bigger than facing a near-perennial MLS Cup finalist as of late. After a promising season that saw the Earthquakes just barely miss out on the playoffs next season, they’ll be expected to play well out of the gate this year. Toronto are a tough opponent, but if you want to make the playoffs in MLS, you have to pick up points with regularity at home.
First Encounters
Inter Miami vs. San Jose Earthquakes, Lockhart Stadium, Saturday, April 18, 12:30 pm
This will be San Jose Earthquakes’ first game against new MLS side Inter Miami, and you never know what you’re going to get with an expansion side. Some are strong from the start like LAFC and Atlanta United, others take a bit more time to warm up, such as Minnesota United, Orlando City, and FC Cincinnati. It should be interesting either way as Western/Eastern conference teams only meet once a year during the regular season under this current format.
Breaking the Bogey Team Curse
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Los Angeles FC, Avaya Stadium, Saturday, May 9, 6:45 pm
LAFC have the San Jose Earthquakes’s number, and they will surely be a powerhouse next season. Will they continue to be a thorn in the side for the Quakes or will things shift in the newer of the NorCal/SoCal relationships in sports?
https://twitter.com/SJEarthquakes/status/1207707875126042624
Welcome Defending Champions
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Seattle Sounders, Avaya Stadium, Wednesday, May 13, 7:15 pm
To be the best, you have to beat the best, and in what’s shaping up to be a big week for the Quakes in May (ending with a Saturday fixture in Utah against Real Salt Lake) features the defending MLS Cup Champion Seattle Sounders coming to town shortly after LAFC. Who knows what the situation will be with players potentially being rested and rotated, but this is a clear indicator that depth will be tested quickly and often throughout the season.
California Clasico
San Jose Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy, Stanford Stadium, Saturday, June 13, 6:45 pm
LA Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes, Dignity Health Sports Park, Saturday, June 27, 6:45 pm
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On either side of San Jose’s maiden journey to Nashville is both encounters with their biggest rivals, the LA Galaxy. The Galaxy will be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic this year and are trying to make up for a disappointing 2019, so both of these games will be intense. A win or two against LA around the halfway point of the season can give San Jose the lift they need to have a strong season of their own.
September Gauntlet
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Portland Timbers, Avaya Stadium, Saturday, September 12, 6:45 pm
Seattle Sounders vs. San Jose Earthquakes, Centurylink Field, Wednesday, September 16, 7:30 pm
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake, Avaya Stadium, Saturday, September 19, 6:45 pm
Los Angeles FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes, Banc of California Stadium, Saturday, September 26, 12:30 pm
All of these teams made it to the playoffs in 2019 and will be looking to do the same in 2020, so if the San Jose Earthquakes are to break into that party, these are the teams they have to beat. There’s not a dull moment to be had in September based on these fixtures. Portland was both the team that San Jose beat early last season to get their first win but also knocked the Earthquakes out of playoff contention at Providence Park. The Sounders and LAFC are likely contenders and Real Salt Lake will be without Nick Rimando for the first time in ages but still have a strong all-around team.
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The results of September could determine whether the season finale at Avaya against the Colorado Rapids will be one of celebration or putting the fans in the Bay Area out of their misery.