MLS is Back: Group B Preview – Seattle Sounders on top
By Ivan Ornelas
San Jose Earthquakes
2019 Record: 8th in Western Conference
2020 Results: 2-2 draw vs. Toronto FC; 5-2 loss vs. Minnesota United
Head Coach: Matias Almeyda
Projected Starters: Daniel Vega; Tommy Thompson, Guram Kashia, Oswaldo Alanis, Nick Lima; Cristian Espinoza, Jackson Yueill, Magnus Eriksson; Vako Qazaishvili, Andre Rios, Danny Hoesen
The 2020 season proved to be an unfortunately small sample size, but it showed that the San Jose Earthquakes are closer to being in the freefall that cost them a spot in the 2019 MLS postseason than the juggernaut they were earlier in that campaign. That’s not to say this team isn’t talented or capable of winning. It is. But Matias Almeyda’s magic wore off in the latter stages of the 2019 campaign, and those problems seemingly persisted in 2020.
The biggest issue for this team is their inability to close games out and grind out a win. This is not the best team Almeyda has managed but he has players to work with, including recent editions from Chivas such as Carlos Fierro and Osvaldo Alanis who are familiar with his system. The Earthquakes have a fighting chance but they need more than just fight to advance: they need to execute and close out games. This group will be a big test to see if that progress is underway.