San Jose Earthquakes: 2020 Preview – Building under Matias Almeyda
By Matt Coles
Offseason Summary
Squad Retention
Having spent the 2019 season on loan with the San Jose Earthquakes, midfielders Judson and Cristian Espinoza were both signed on permanent deals and will continue their time in the starting line-up this season.
Daniel Vega will be looking to continue his run in goal, which saw him play in all 34 regular-season games for the club last season, with the likes of Florian Jungwirth, Nick Lima and Guram Kashia in the defensive line in front of him.
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Chris Wondolowski, Vako and Danny Hoesen will be expected to score the majority of the goals for the ‘Quakes this season, along with Espinoza, who all return to spearhead Matias Almeyda’s high-octane attack.
Transfers & SuperDraft Picks
San Jose saw six players leave the club this offseason, with Anibal Godoy the biggest name to move away. The Panamanian midfielder made the move to MLS new-boys Nashville SC for a fee of around $650,000. Andrew Tarbell was the other man to leave for MLS opposition as he signed for the Columbus Crew for $100,000.
A trio of centre-halves — Jimmy Ockford, Francois Affolter and Harold Cummings — all left the Earthquakes after seeing the options on their contracts declined, while midfielder Kevin Partida also suffered the same fate.
Just three men were signed for the ‘Quakes ahead of the 2020 campaign. Oswaldo Alanis is the biggest name coming in. The Mexican central defender will spend the season in San Jose on loan from Chivas. Meanwhile, Casey Walls and Emmanuel Ochoa graduated into the first team from the San Jose Earthquakes Academy.
Thanks to a trade with Inter Miami CF, the Earthquakes had three picks in the first round and a half of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, taking two defenders in that time. Stanford star Tanner Beason and UMBC man Jon Bell were chosen with the 12th picks in the first and second rounds respectively, while UNC midfielder Jack Skahan was taken with the 27th overall pick. All in all, a quiet offseason for San Jose.