SAN JOSE, Calif. – The obvious theme heading into 2019 for the San Jose Earthquakes is that there is nowhere to go but up following a season that saw them win just four games and finish with the worst record in MLS.
But the normal optimism that surrounds the fresh slate of a new season has only been heightened since the October announcement of former Chivas de Guadalajara manager Matias Almeyda as the new manager. With the 2018 CONCACAF Coach of the Year now on the ground in San Jose, the team is embracing the opportunities to learn and grow with the new skipper.
“A new culture is something we’re trying to lay the groundwork on,” said Quakes forward Chris Wondolowski. “Slowly but surely he’s been laying down the foundation and to a man, everybody has been hanging on every word he’s said. He’s captivating and he just owns the room.”
Buzzwords like “culture change” are creating a lot of excitement around Avaya Stadium this offseason, and Almeyda’s arrival suggests the dawn of a new era on and off the field. But the new boss cautions against expecting a seismic shift on Earthquakes Way.
“I came here to adapt a culture and try to give them a style of football, but I didn’t come here to change any cultures at all,” said Almeyda. “We’re looking for a competitive team with a winning mentality and a lot of teamwork.”
While the wins and trophies might not come immediately in the Almeyda era, fans should expect a much more offensive-minded team, one that plays together and keeps the Quakes fanbase engaged through the season.
“We’re looking to create an offensive style of play where everybody runs, but not limiting the players to have their own freedom to new things and express themselves on the pitch,” said Almeyda. “I want to see a team with a defined style of play and a good attitude, and as a coach I’m going to do as much as a coach can do.”
A two-time World Cup veteran with Argentina, Almeyda pointed out that he is no longer out there kicking the ball, that it’s up to the players to band together as one cohesive family, a message that has been heard loud and clear by the players in camp.
“When we go out, we do it as a unit, we have to fight. It sounds so simple, but it’s not. You have to go over the points in difficult situations that you will have in a game, and that’s difficult to create,” said defender/midfielder Florian Jungwirth. “This is going to be the hard part of the preseason, but we are convinced everybody can do it and that Matias will lead us.”
