SAN JOSE – Saturday’s season opener marks the San Jose Earthquakes’ first step to rebounding from arguably MLS’ worst season ever.
That means it’s time to follow new coach Bruce Arena’s advice.
“First of all, forget about what happened last year,” midfielder Christian Espinoza said of Arena’s initial instructions. “Try to face the future, try to do the right things, simple things, to be honest.”
Things were so difficult last year the Earthquakes matched an MLS record with 25 losses and allowed a league-record 78 goals for a minus-37 goal differential.
San Jose Earthquakes’ midfielder Christian Espinoza talks with the media after practice at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif. on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
“I know there’s a lot of change, and a lot of stuff about last year,” new forward Josef Martinez said, “but we have a big opportunity this Saturday to make the crowd and the city proud.”
Arena, the winningest coach in MLS history who’s also led the U.S. national team into two World Cups, is preaching patience as his Earthquakes’ stint opens against Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park (7:30 p.m.; Apple TV).
“It’s a new coaching staff, new players, and a new way of doing things, so it’s going to take a little time,” Arena said. “It’s not all happening in time for our first game.”
His players, however, say Arena is all about instilling a winning mentality. It’s clearly been missed. Owned by the same John Fisher who just moved the Athletics out of Oakland, the Earthquakes last had a winning season in 2013. They last celebrated a playoff win in 2012, against a Los Angeles Galaxy team coached by Arena.
Arena recalled Wednesday how the ensuing playoff game went in 2012 between his Galaxy and the then-host Earthquakes: “We came here and spanked them (3-1) at Santa Clara. That was a good memory. I had a lot of people with a lot of bad words sitting behind my bench that game, I remember that.
“The San Jose fans are passionate, and hopefully they’re on my side this time around.”
New San Jose Earthquakes manager Bruce Arena talks defender Dave Romney during practice at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif. on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
Arena, 73, is back in the MLS after resigning from the New England Revolution in 2023 and serving a suspension for what the league termed “insensitive and inappropriate remarks.” “It’s always exciting to start a season, especially with a new team,” Arena said. “I’ve been on a lot of teams that have been in last place and we’ve taken on that challenge of making them better, and that’s the case here.”
Five former New England players came in tow: defenders Dave Romney and Nick Lima (a homegrown Earthquakes player from 2017-20), midfielders Ian Harkes and Mark-Anthony Kaye, and goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr.
The most touted additions are a pair of proven strikers: Martinez, the 2018 MLS MVP and MLS Cup champion with Atlanta, and Chicho Arango, formerly Real Salt Lake’s captain who got traded to San Jose last month.
As for how that Martinez-Arango tandem will work, Martinez said: “We need more time. There’s a lot of change on the team. We need to figure out how to understand it. We look good for the moment and we’ll see what happens on Saturday.”
The Earthquakes went 0-3 at the Coachella Valley Invitational earlier this month in Indio.
Espinoza, a team captain entering his seventh season, expects better results going forward, saying: “The club put a lot of effort to bring in players, to bring in Bruce, to try to create a winning mentality with this club. We are really happy about it.”
Added Martinez: “We have to fight. My mentality is to only win, no matter what. I don’t like to lose in a game or training. We have a young group but they have energy and want to learn every day.”
San Jose Earthquakes’ forward Josef Martinez talks with the media after practice at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif. on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
Defenders Max Floriani and Reid Roberts (USF) were selected with the Nos. 2 and 5 overall picks in December’s MLS SuperDraft, and midfielder Nick Fernandez was the Earthquakes’ second-round pick.
How long will it take for all those new players and coaches to mesh?
“There’s no science to any of it. If there was, everyone would have a good team, right?” Arena responded. “It’ll take a little time. There’s a lot that can happen: you can have injuries, you can have suspensions and other things that make things hectic and affect your performance.”
The Earthquakes, who won only one of their first 10 games last year, play five of their first seven games at home, where a new sound system, a new D.J., and new assortment of culinary options await.
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An April 6 match with D.C. United will commemorate the 30-year anniversary of the MLS’ first-ever game, which was at Spartan Stadium and saw Arena coaching the visiting side. Other marquee home dates: May 14 against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami at PayPal Park; June 28 against the Galaxy in the California Clásico at Stanford Stadium; Aug. 17 vs. expansion club San Diego FC; and, Sept. 13 against Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium.
“We have to survive the early going, but be a team that’s more competitive than last year,” Arena said, “and hopefully put ourselves in good position for the second half of the season.”
New San Jose Earthquakes manager Bruce Arena talks with assistant strength and conditioning coach Vander Salas and Cristian “Chico” Arango during practice at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif. on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
