MLS · Western Conference · San Jose, California, US · PayPal Park
San Jose Earthquakes
Twice champions, once relocated, and forever scrappy - the San Jose Earthquakes are Silicon Valley's original soccer club, a franchise that has survived more existential crises than most leagues and keeps rumbling back like the seismic force for which it is named.
1996–2005
The Original Earthquakes
Back-to-back champions and Landon Donovan's breakout
The San Jose Clash, as they were originally known, were charter members of MLS in 1996. Rebranded as the Earthquakes in 2000, the club's fortunes transformed with the arrival of a young Landon Donovan on loan from Bayer Leverkusen in 2001. Donovan, who would go on to become the greatest American soccer player of his generation, was electrifying in San Jose - fast, creative, decisive, and possessed of a big-game mentality that elevated everyone around him.
The 2001 MLS Cup victory was a classic underdog story. The Earthquakes, under head coach Frank Yallop, defeated the LA Galaxy 2-1 in extra time with DeWayne De Rosario scoring the golden goal. The 2003 title defense was even more dramatic - San Jose defeated the Chicago Fire 4-2 in a thrilling final that featured two Donovan goals and cemented the Quakes as the best team in MLS.
The joy of back-to-back championships was tempered by the franchise's precarious financial situation. Without a soccer-specific stadium and struggling to find a viable long-term home, the Earthquakes were living on borrowed time despite their on-field success.
Key Facts
- Charter MLS member, originally named the San Jose Clash
- Won MLS Cup in 2001 and 2003 behind Landon Donovan's brilliance
- DeWayne De Rosario scored the 2001 golden goal
- Financial struggles and stadium issues threatened the franchise
2006–2013
Death and Resurrection
Relocation to Houston and a second chance
In 2006, the Earthquakes were relocated to Houston, becoming the Houston Dynamo. The move devastated San Jose's soccer community, which had supported the club through lean financial times and celebrated two championships. The loss of the franchise felt like a betrayal, and the city was left without top-flight professional soccer.
But San Jose's soccer culture refused to die. In 2008, MLS awarded a new expansion franchise to San Jose, resurrecting the Earthquakes name and history. The reborn Quakes entered MLS with their previous championship banners and legacy intact, playing at Buck Shaw Stadium on the Santa Clara University campus. The small, intimate venue became a beloved home, and the club's devoted supporters - many of whom had stayed engaged during the two-year hiatus - welcomed the Earthquakes back with open arms.
The early years of the reborn franchise were competitive if not championship-caliber. Chris Wondolowski, who would go on to become MLS's all-time leading scorer, emerged as the club's defining player and a beloved figure in Bay Area sports.
Key Facts
- Relocated to Houston in 2006, becoming the Houston Dynamo
- Reborn as an expansion franchise in 2008 with history intact
- Buck Shaw Stadium on Santa Clara's campus served as temporary home
- Chris Wondolowski began his march toward the MLS scoring record
2014–Present
A Permanent Home
PayPal Park and the search for a return to glory
The 2014 groundbreaking for what would become PayPal Park (originally Avaya Stadium) in downtown San Jose was a landmark moment. The 18,000-seat stadium, which opened in 2015, was designed with one of the steepest stands in MLS and an outdoor bar behind the goal that became its signature feature. The "largest outdoor bar in North American sports" wasn't just a gimmick - it reflected the Earthquakes' understanding of their market and their commitment to creating a unique matchday experience.
Chris Wondolowski continued to pile up goals, eventually surpassing Landon Donovan's all-time MLS scoring record in 2019 with his 145th career goal. The achievement was a testament to Wondolowski's longevity, consistency, and the deep affection that San Jose fans felt for their homegrown hero. His retirement in 2021 marked the end of an era.
On-field results have been inconsistent since the stadium opened, with the Earthquakes struggling to compete in a Western Conference that has grown significantly stronger. The club has invested in its academy and player development infrastructure, and the challenge is translating the passion of the Bay Area soccer community and the intimacy of PayPal Park into sustained competitive success.
Key Facts
- PayPal Park opened in 2015 with one of MLS's steepest stands
- Chris Wondolowski broke MLS's all-time scoring record in 2019
- Stadium's outdoor bar became a signature attraction
- Ongoing efforts to build a consistently competitive roster