Stop the Count! Quakes Rumble into 2025
- Quakes on Both Coasts
- Mar 7
- 4 min read
Josh: It’s been quite a month for snow, sunshine, rain, hopes, and fears. Hope this episode finds you thawing out of February. When I last saw a picture, Matt, you were in front of an ice wall. Any better now?
Matt: We’re in a melting-a-lot-of-snow-and-ice phase right now, but the weather looks like it will get back single digits at night soon enough.
Josh: Um, no thanks. Maybe this will warm you up: for the first time since 2019, our San Jose Earthquakes start the year with a win. And per sjearthquakes.com, biggest victory on opening day in Club History!
Matt: So exciting, and a change of pace for everyone. The night was full of pace and movement, and kept the crowd hopping!
Josh: The record-setting goals came from Rodriguez, Ricketts, Bouda, and Costa. Only Ricketts was new on the pitch for San Jose this season, but of course RSL was watching all the new signings closely, especially their recent Ex Chicho Arango. Did you have a favorite?
Matt: Lots to see tonight. It’s great to see young players like Ricketts and Bouda score, and Arango was one flag away from contributing as well. I thought it was interesting to see the 3-5-2 formation. Arena looks like he planned the night to be vibrant and keep the ball on the RSL’s grass, and the Boys in Blue did a good job getting back to defend as well. I still remain a huge fan of Espinoza. He’s been looking for friends to play with for years, and he might have a whole lot of them this season helping to make PayPal Park a fun place to be this season.
Josh: Clearly as Captain Cristian Espinoza starts the season with three assists, and sets an Earthquakes record for consecutive regular-season appearances. He’s second in MLS History for field players, and fifth overall. One of my favorites, Rodrigues gets first team of the matchday honors, while Daniel and Espinoza get the nod for second team. Seems like everything’s coming up San Jose?
Matt: For sure. I’d like to see a few more games to get a sense of Arena’s strategy, and how much reflects the team he has vs. the team they are facing. The next match is against Minnesota, and that is another chance to give the Quakes some more momentum and experience playing each other before facing the crucible against their typical foes. Daniel played well, but had a sequence when he took a hit to save the shot. That has to happen sometimes, but I don’t want to see one of those in every match.
Josh: Sporting KC at Kansas City was a victory on many fronts. Not only did Los Quakes bring home three points at the feet of both new strikers, and another bump on goal differential, but lasted 40+ minutes at 10 men, and didn’t give up a goal, or really even encounter any major threats. THAT is a different San Jose team than the last several years.
They truly were Saturday’s Heroes at PayPal Park and will be when they come home again. And speaking of the song that is one of the many layers of identity to San Jose and our Earthquakes, what do you and your panel of experts think of the good luck punk rock poster jerseys, the Headliner Kit?
Matt: The Headliner Kit earned an impressive 9/10 from local experts. I would have to agree. It reminds me a little of the 2022 Japan National Team Anime jersey, and for all the right reasons. I love it! This is not a static jersey that balances out what I think good jerseys need: vibrancy, a clear sense of identity with the team, and a cohesive look that works on the pitch.
Josh: Agreed. I do wish the blue center, black sleeves, and red highlight didn’t give me Cincinnati flashbacks, but fortunately, FCC is learning hard on the orange band on their shirt to differentiate. And how could I not shop a jersey with a “Millennial S” on it?
Matt: Are you a Millennial?
Josh: Labels. Obviously, there’s lots of soccer between here and October, but it feels good to be excited by our team again! Coming up, we’ve got a home stand against Minnesota and Colorado. Colorado is eager to get their first win of the season, and both teams have been trouble for yesteryear’s Earthquakes. It’s probably too early to predict, but I’m looking forward to a better vibe in PayPal Park!
Matt: So far so good. Arena has a reputation for putting his MLS squads in positions to succeed, and this year’s opener seems to be no exception.
Josh: Why not - 6 more points, and with LAFC & Vancouver having a two-match week, holding on to first in the West. We’ll check in in a couple weeks. Vamos SJ!
Quake-o-meter for Match 1 (Richter goes to 9, OURS goes to 10)
Category | Matt | Josh | Average |
Offense | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
Midfield | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Defense | 8 | 8 | 8 |
GK | 7.5 | 8 | 7.75 |
Strategy/Coaching | 7.5 | 7 | 7.25 |
Team Composure | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Final Score on the Quake-o-meter Richter Scale: 8.1 / 10 - This is the right statement to make in the first two matchdays!
Current % chance of a San Jose/New England MLS Cup Final: 55% - long way to go, but right now it’s possible!
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