With less than a month remaining, the San Jose Earthquakes stand within a few points of securing a playoff spot in the next couple of weeks. Likely to finish between the third and fifth seed, they need to focus on reaching that long-dreamed-of home playoff game in one piece. Given their recent injury report against Colorado, staying healthy for the …
Entering October, the San Jose Earthquakes rebounded after a disastrous July and August, giving themselves breathing room. Seven games separate the team from the postseason. For those remaining games, key questions for Arena and his team will be asked and potentially answered. After halting a terrible slide, the Quakes returned to a sort of normal form, going unbeaten since the …
Arriving in the Bay with the Quakes still riding high, Luka Jovanović promised to be a fascinating piece of the larger puzzle heading into the final half of 2026. The Australian, already an established player in his homeland, felt like a bridge to the next era. Unfortunately, for both club and player, the team’s slide after the MLS restart marked …
Bringing in Eduard Löwen gave the Quakes another talented playmaker who could be of great help in a playoff push. After another injury to Timo Werner, Löwen stepped up and formed a potent partnership with Niko Tsakiris. However, with Werner back to full strength and the team needing every possible point, how do the three fit together? The move for …
One reason for the shift to a back three is the need to stem the instability that dragged the team down. With a form that feels closer to the team’s May run, Arena feels likely to keep this new formation. Among the remaining questions for the Quakes, one of the more intriguing is who starts at center back. With a …
While the defensive lapse that cost the Quakes a win deserved attention, the team’s stagnant offense also troubled the team. Not counting Timo Werner, it has been almost four months since a Quakes striker has found the back of the net. From players being misused to others seemingly having their commitment questioned, the team needs to take a gamble. Ousseni …
For the first time since April, and in Angus Gunn’s Quakes tenure, the team kept a clean sheet. Needing to make changes due to injuries and performances, Arena reverted to a 5-man backline once more. Against the second in the west, Houston Dynamo, Arena’s slew of changes paid off. When announced, the starting lineup felt like a throwback to the …
By the time a toddler ran on the pitch, the malaise plaguing the team had fully set in. Another alarming performance raised more questions about whether this team is fully lost. Both parties, players and manager alike, stand at a crossroads with an entire season unraveling. Not a single decision went right for either the manager or the players. In …
After starting the season with a strong defensive record, the Quakes’ defensive fortress has begun to crumble. While the change between the sticks clearly impacted the team, other factors are playing a bigger role. Before allowing any more of their lead to slip away, a few changes seem likely to help stem the leak. For the first time in a …
Since Niko Tsakiris went out with a long-term injury in a game against Toronto, the Quakes have won only one league game in seven. While they built up quite a large lead, getting only five points out of a possible 21 has closed the gap for the teams chasing. Coupled with new signings still needing time to get used to …
