2020 Season Preview: San Jose Earthquakes

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It was never going to be a worst-to-first story thanks to Los Angeles FC, but it had a shot at a worst-to-second story midway through the 2019 MLS season. Despite losing their first four games of the season (three of them at home) the San Jose Earthquakes found themselves in second place in the Western Conference by early August after a 1-1 home draw against the Columbus Crew. They were on a largely-dominant 10-game unbeaten streak. But something happened in that Crew game which would lead to the Quakes’ undoing the rest of the season – 2018 CONCACAF Coach of the Year Matias Almeyda was outcoached by the Crew’s Caleb Porter. Porter found the chink in the San Jose armor, and laid out a game plan in the second half of how to beat the Quakes for all the league to see. Columbus was able to hold possession through the first 20 minutes of the second half and exhaust San Jose defensively, leaving them out of gas. Only one of the Quakes’ final six shots were on target.

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Offseason Outlook: San Jose Earthquakes

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Offseason Outlook: San Jose Earthquakes

It was a tumultuous season for the Quakes, which saw them fall from a midseason peak of second in the Western Conference down to eighth – four points out of a playoff spot. Based on publicly-available contractual information Earthquakes fans were expecting some mass departures at the end of 2019. Contracts were up for fan favorites Chris Wondolowski, Florian Jungwirth, Judson (on loan), and Cristian Espinoza (on loan). Earthquakes General Manager Jesse Fioranelli quickly addressed the first three, and then paid approximately $3 million, to Villarreal for a permanent transfer for Espinoza. However, other contracts that seemed to be expiring had been previously extended (Andrew Tarbell and Shea Salinas) or curiously had their option picked up (Matt Bersano), while only three players had options declined (Francois Affolter, Jimmy Ockford and Kevin Partida) with one contract allowed to expire (Harold Cummings).

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Almeyda and Schelotto: Two New MLS Coaches and their Distinctive Styles

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Almeyda and Schelotto: Two New MLS Coaches and their Distinctive Styles

Matias Almeyda and Guillermo Barros Schelotto are two of the most experienced managers in MLS history. They are also both just beginning their careers as MLS coaches.

To start his managerial career, Almeyda retired as a player and took over a River Plate side that had been relegated for the first time in club history. Immediately after that season, he led the team back to promotion with a first place finish in the second division. Almeyda did the same with Banfield in Argentina, winning his second Primera B Nacional title. At Chivas Guadalajara in 2015, Almeyda inherited another difficult situation, tasked with bringing the Mexican giant back into the spotlight. With Chivas, Almeyda won Copa MX twice, Supercopa MX, Liga MX, and CONCACAF Champions League. Now, he has embarked on a new journey with the San Jose Earthquakes, who finished in last place in 2018.

After leading the Columbus Crew to an MLS Cup as a player (he won both league MVP and Finals MVP in 2008), Guillermo Barros Schelotto started his managing career with Lanus in Argentina. He led the club to a Copa Sudamericana, the second most prestigious club competition in South America. Schelotto then signed with the club he spent most of his playing career with, Boca Juniors, and led them to two league titles.

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