San Jose Earthquakes: 2020 Preview – Building under Matias Almeyda
By Matt Coles
2020 Outlook
The San Jose Earthquakes spent the early part of their preseason slate in Mexico, where they faced the Columbus Crew and two sides from south of the border, Inter Playa del Carmen and Cracks del Futuro. The ‘Quakes then faced Reno 1868 FC and Sacramento Republic in their final pre-season games ahead of the start of the 2020 regular season.
The club starts their campaign on February 29 with a home clash against Toronto FC. They then face Minnesota United a week later, also on home turf. The first road game of the season is a week later when they travel to Philadelphia to face the Union, before coming back to California for a fixture against Sporting Kansas City.
The ‘Quakes face a tricky run of fixtures in early-May when they face the record-breaking Los Angeles FC and MLS Cup champions Seattle Sounders in a four-day spell, before a road game versus Real Salt Lake — that is the top three in the West in three successive matches. Within the next four games, they face Atlanta United at home and two games against the LA Galaxy, playing both home and away before the end of June.
The ‘Quakes run-in is another tricky period. They face the same top three from the West. as well as home matches against Portland and Colorado, the latter of which to round out the season on October 4th. The club will also feature in the U.S. Open Cup, where they will enter the competition in the third round.
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Having kept the crux of their squad from last year, one that only just missed out on the postseason, the San Jose Earthquakes are leaning on the continuity of the team and excellent coaching of Matias Almeyda to see them over the line. Will it be enough?