San Jose Earthquakes

San Jose Earthquakes are an American professional soccer club based in San Jose, California that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the league's Western Conference. The franchise was originally founded in 1974 as a member of the original North American Soccer League (NASL) and was a charter member of MLS in 1996. The club has won two MLS Cup championships, in 2001 and 2003, and two Supporters' Shield titles.

History

The original North American Soccer League franchise was established in 1974, featuring international stars like George Best and drawing significant crowds to Spartan Stadium. After the NASL's collapse, the name was revived for the inaugural Major League Soccer season in 1996, with the team playing as the San Jose Clash until 1999. Under head coach Frank Yallop and with players like Landon Donovan and Dwayne De Rosario, the club entered a golden era, winning the 2001 MLS Cup and 2003 MLS Cup. The franchise was controversially relocated to Houston in 2005, becoming the Houston Dynamo, but MLS awarded a new expansion team to San Jose in 2007, reviving the Earthquakes name. The modern era has seen periods of rebuilding, with the club returning to the MLS Cup Playoffs in the 2010 and 2012 seasons.

Stadium

The Earthquakes played their early MLS matches at the historic Spartan Stadium on the campus of San Jose State University. After the club's return in 2008, they temporarily used Buck Shaw Stadium at Santa Clara University while planning a permanent soccer-specific venue. In 2015, the club opened its current home, PayPal Park, a privately-funded, 18,000-seat stadium located in San Jose, California. The state-of-the-art facility, which also hosts the U.S. Women's National Team and international friendlies, is part of a larger complex that includes the Earthquakes' training facility and the San Jose Earthquakes Academy.

Club culture

The Earthquakes maintain a strong rivalry with the LA Galaxy, known as the California Clásico, one of the most enduring derbies in American soccer. The club's primary supporters' group is the Ultras San Jose, known for their vibrant tifo displays and vocal support at PayPal Park. The team's colors of blue, black, and white have been consistent through most of its history, and its crest features the iconic "Q" symbol. Community initiatives are central to the club's identity, with the San Jose Earthquakes Community Fund supporting youth soccer and local programs throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Players and staff

The club's all-time appearance leader is midfielder Chris Wondolowski, who also holds the MLS all-time goalscoring record and was a key figure for over a decade. Other notable players in club history include Ronald Cerritos, Jeff Agoos, and current star Cristian Espinoza. The technical side is led by head coach Luchi Gonzalez, appointed in 2023, with the sporting department overseen by Chris Leitch. The ownership group, Earthquakes Soccer, LLC, is led by managing partner John Fisher, who also owns the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball.

Honors and achievements

The San Jose Earthquakes have won two MLS Cup championships, in 2001 and 2003. They have also secured two Supporters' Shield titles, awarded for the best regular-season record, in 2005 and 2012. The club won the MLS Western Conference Championship in 2001 and 2003 en route to their cup victories. In domestic cup competition, they were runners-up in the 2001 U.S. Open Cup and the 2004 U.S. Open Cup. Individual players have earned accolades such as the MLS MVP Award and MLS Golden Boot.

Category:San Jose Earthquakes Category:Major League Soccer clubs Category:Soccer clubs in California Category:1974 establishments in California