Football Season Guide

Got off to a solid start last season but gradually faded and ended up clinching the last wild-card spot. Boasting the second-worst attack in the Western Conference, the Quakes lost to Sporting Kansas City on penalties in the wild-card duel and didn’t get the chance to participate in the playoffs. They lost DP No. 10 Jamiro Monteiro, winger Cade Cowell, centre-back Jonathan Mensah and left-back Miguel Trauco, all of whom were starters last season. San Jose have beefed up their squad in the offseason, with experienced left winger Amahl Pellegrino joining from Bodo/Glimt to replace Cowell. Meanwhile, Vítor Costa joined to replace Trauco. Despite losing a few starters, San Jose kept a backbone, consisted of Daniel, Rodrigues, Cristian Espinosa and Jeremy Ebobisse, intact. The Quakes haven’t replaced playmaker Monteiro, but coach Luchi Gonzalez might opt for a 4-3-3 formation, or even give more playtime to youngsters Niko Tsikaris and Cruz Medina in attacking midfield. San Jose’s main strength is in goal. Daniel stood out in his first season with the Quakes and was the top shot-stopper in MLS last year, as he saved over a third of a goal more than expected per 90 minutes. Meanwhile, the defence is a big question mark, as two of last year’s starting defenders have departed. Bruno Wilson and Vítor Costa arrived from Portugal and it remains to be seen if they’ll manage to adapt to their new environment straightaway.