There's at least one person who isn't surprised by the San Jose Earthquakes' rampant start to their match Saturday against the Portland Timbers at Avaya Stadium. His name is Tommy Thompson.
Speaking with NBC Sports Bay Area's Danielle Slaton on the sideline moments before the match, the Quakes Homegrown Player looked directly at the camera and made a guarantee to the fans watching at home:
Today we're going to be different. And if it's not this week, it'll be next week. I believe in this team, I believe in this coach, I believe in this organization. We're going to fix this.
The Quakes entered Saturday winless over their last 13 matches dating back to last season. But a starting XI shuffled by first-year coach Matias Almeyda embodied Thompson's words in the first half, storming to a 3-0 lead.
Last year's leading scorer Danny Hoesen scored in his first start, Shea Salinas scored once in his second and should've had another (that Hoesen finished instead).
Cristian Espinoza added his second in MLS since the 24-year-old Argentine arrived in Northern California prior to the season. The Quakes held on for a 3-0 win, their first of the season, and Thompson may be burnishing a reputation as a pregame prophet.
