Football Season Guide

Won just five of their 17 home games and narrowly missed out on play-in by tiebreaker after equaling Real Salt Lake’s 41 points in a year of rebuild under experienced Bruce Arena. Boasted the fourth-best attack in the West with 60 goals, but struggled defensively, having conceded a third-most 63 goals in the conference. During offseason, they have parted ways with nine first-team outfielders, including their three finest players Cristian Arango, Josef Martínez and Cristian Espinoza. San Jose took many by surprise by landing former Chelsea, Tottenham and RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner, but this has been their only notable acquisition. Arena is expected to build the team around Werner - one of the biggest signings in club history. Despite losing Arango, Martínez and Espinoza, who combined for 31 goals last term, the Quakes have not strengthened their team and they are not expected to bring in more than a couple of players. Boasting the likes of talented youngsters Niko Tsakiris and Beau Leroux, as well as a solid Ronaldo Vieira and an experienced Ian Harkes, San Jose’s midfield is definitely their main – if not their only - strength heading into the 2026 campaign. Despite having allowed in as many as 63 goals last season, the Quakes haven’t injected quality into a very poor defensive line. The downgrade in attack should also be a source of concern taking into account that Werner is a big signing, but he has struggled to rediscover his form over the last few years.