San Jose Clash 1998

The 1998 season was one of excitement tempered by frustration. Head coach Brian Quinn led the team to a 13-19 record, good for 33 points in MLS. San Jose was forced to play the first three home games of the season at Stanford University after winter rains delayed the renovation on Spartan Stadium. When the club returned to Spartan, they faced the New England Revolution May 3, 1998 on a newly widened field that was 70 yards wide and 110 yards long.

Ronald Cerritos again led the team, putting in 13 goals to finish the season as the eighth leading goal-scorer in the league. During the 1998 season the pieces of the eventual 2001 MLS Cup Champions began to form at Spartan Stadium. Eventual 2002 MLS all-star Wade Barrett was drafted in the first round of the 1998 College Draft, and eventual 2002 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Joe Cannon gained his first MLS experience. Cannon was called to the club from the A-League to serve as a back up for ten days before returning to soccer's minor leagues. Defender Richard Gough enjoyed an all-star season in 1998, as he was the only member of the team selected to play in the mid-season classic. The club was forced to play through May and June without forward Eric Wynalda, who was with the United States National Team at the World Cup in France. Wynalda appeared in two matches for the U.S. during the World Cup.