MLS · Western Conference · Est. 1994 · PayPal Park
Updated March 16, 2026
The San Jose Earthquakes have been among MLS's worst teams for several consecutive seasons, and the patience of the fan base has worn thin. Attendance at PayPal Park has cratered and the club's relevance in the Bay Area sports landscape is minimal. The 2026 season needs to show tangible signs of progress or the franchise risks permanent irrelevance in a competitive market.
San Jose overhauled its front office and technical staff, bringing in fresh voices to reshape the club's footballing philosophy. The new regime has emphasized youth development and data-driven scouting, departing from the haphazard roster construction that defined the previous era. Whether the new approach produces results quickly enough to stem the bleeding remains to be seen.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to the Bay Area at Levi's Stadium gives the Earthquakes an unexpected opportunity to ride the wave of soccer enthusiasm in the region. The club is positioning itself to be the local beneficiary of World Cup fever, but they will need to put a credible product on the pitch to capitalize.