With 4 days until the 2020 MLS Season opener, I decided to give a preview of the San Jose Earthquakes roster and predictions for this year.

Not much happened during the off-season for the Quakes, with only 2 big signings making headlines as the roster remains mostly the same from the 2019 season. Harold Cummings and Anibal Godoy were key two departures, however the team made up for them by signing Christian Espinoza to a multi-year contract from Villarreal CF and obtaining Mexican defender Oswaldo Alanis from C.D. Guadalajara on a TAM deal.

In his 2nd season, Head Coach Matias Almeyda will look to improve his teams chemistry and work on his unique man marking defensive style that has given teams problems last season. While some teams might figure out how to counter his defensive play-style, it will be interesting to see if Almeyda makes tactical and formation changes throughout the year.

At age 37, Chris Wondolowski will most likely be making his final appearance this season as retirement is near. With multi-goal seasons, 15 from last year, and a record setting all-time leading 170 MLS goals, Wondo will look to close out his final season with a Championship run. With no more pressure regarding statistics, the club legend can now focus on mentoring the young players and giving it one last go with the Blue and Black.

In terms of improvements, Espinonza will need to improve his goal scoring as the team cannot rely on Wondolowoski to provide the goals. The back-line and goalie positions have to step up as well, as the team suffered defensively last year, giving up 52 goals and collapsing in the later stages in games. Young player such as Nick Lima, Tommy Thompson, and Jackson Yuiell will look to improve on their form as the team looks to the future with solid draft pieces in such as midfielder Siad Haji and defender Tanner Beason. Homegrown players goalie JT Marcinkowski and midfielder Gilbert Fuentes will also look to see playing time and improve their chances at the starting 11.

Overall I think the team is lacking severely in regards to on field talent. The man-marking defense puts a toll on the stamina of the team and they will definitely be exhausted as the season goes on. The depth is not great and there are many players that have yet to prove/show their skill on the field. Capturing the last playoff seed is possible, but I just don’t see this team doing much this year, unless the scoring and defense improves. A U.S. Open Cup run would be exciting and is a fun competition that I always look forward to every MLS season.

Prediction: 8th place in the Western Conference