Manager-driven roster building and short-termism

Young players aren’t just what get the fans excited – they’re the basis of successful roster building. And I’m worried the Quakes haven’t been getting it right in recent years, in no small part due to reliance on managers to…

Quakes Amateur Scouting (2017-present)

One of oddities of American soccer is that the original pipeline of amateur talent entering the professional ranks was unaffiliated youngsters who then passed through amateur NCAA programs before being subject to a draft. It’s normal for other American sports,…

Quakes Reignite Season with 4-1 Rout of Timbers Behind Espinoza Brilliance and Jones’ Sparkling Debut

PHOTO: San Jose Earthquakes San Jose, CA. – After an early three-goal outburst, the San Jose Earthquakes cruised to a 4-1 victory over the Portland Timbers at PayPay Park. Cristian Espinoza scored twice for the Quakes, earning man-of-the-match honors, with…

Quakes upset Chivas in intense Leagues Cup shootout opener

In a chippy, physical match, San Jose’s shootout victory secured a promising two points in the group standings.

Akapo and Rodrigues Scouting Report

If you were hoping for a transformational summer transfer window, this wasn’t it. It appears that any more transformational roster surgery will have to wait until the offseason, under a new (permanent) manager. The San Jose Earthquakes simply replaced the…

Quakes Quickie: Jebo, Jan, and Attacking Patterns

What improvements need to be made for the open-play goals to come? Asher picks out an example from Columbus.

Quakes Salary Thoughts

Just like birthdays, the semi-annual holiday known as the MLS Players Association salary guide release tends to get less exciting every year, with certain notable exceptions. That said, I’m still a roster nerd. As always, my contract spreadsheet lives here.…

A sit-down with Ian Russell continued: The Earthquakes and Reno 1868 affiliate relationship

Ian Russell discusses the working relationship between the San Jose Earthquakes and Reno 1868 FC with Quakes Epicenter

Tactical Masterclass? Tactical Masterclass.

I don’t care that the standings record that game as a loss. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt the heart-pumping joy I got from watching this unburdened Quakes team negate and outplay Atlanta for 70 minutes before, as…

How to get out of this mess:

The San Jose Earthquakes finally parted ways with Coach Mikael Stahre, who managed the second-worst PPG of any coach in MLS history en route to not even making it through the first season of his three year, $1.2 million contract.…