San Jose Earthquakes 2024 Season Preview

MLSsoccer staff

2024 Schedule

Strength: The structure was good last year, and the pieces fit together well on paper. That includes Amahl Pellegrino, Vitor Costa and Bruno Wilson, all of whom should be upgrades.
Weakness: The defense has to come together better than last year’s group – Daniel, who I’ve predicted to be this year’s Goalkeeper of the Year, worked miracles – and that goes triple for the attack. The Quakes just didn’t generate enough going forward, and with an unfilled DP slot and a big, fat question mark at the No. 10, I’m not wagering on that improving right away.

Cade Cowell: Now at a Liga MX "Big Four" club, Cowell joined Chivas for a reported club-record $4 million fee (plus add-ons and a sell-on percentage). The homegrown forward and US international had 10g/15a in 104 regular-season games.
Jonathan Mensah: Mensah, acquired from the Columbus Crew before the 2023 season, was a dependable center back last year. He's since signed with the New England Revolution in free agency.
Jamiro Monteiro: You'll now find Monteiro at Turkish Süper Lig club Gaziantep. The Cape Verde international and No. 10 was a DP.
Miguel Trauco: The Peruvian international left back is now at Brazilian top-flight side Criciúma. We'll always have this golazo, though.

Vítor Costa: The Brazil native is San Jose's new left back, arriving from Portuguese second-division side CS Marítimo.
Amahl Pellegrino: Pellegrino, signed from Norwegian top-flight side Bodø/Glimt, joins an attack that's led by Jeremy Ebobisse and Cristian Espinoza. The winger won back-to-back Eliteserien Golden Boots and was named 2023 Eliteserien Player of the Year.
Bruno Wilson: Rodrigues' likely center-back partner is Wilson, who last played for Portuguese top-flight side FC Vizela.
Full roster