For the second consecutive season, the San Jose Earthquakes missed the playoffs.

This squad had some improvement in comparison to their 2024 campaign where they moved from their 6-3-25 (14th in East) wooden spoon finish to their 2025 campaign where they finished 11-8-15 (10th in East), however, it simply was just barely not enough to make the playoffs.

The team missed the MLS Cup Playoffs & were eliminated in the Quarterfinals 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

New England scored 19 more goals in comparison to 2024 & allowed 15 more goals than in 2024. The team scored more goals but also allowed more, falling just short of the playoffs by 1-point.

With the club hiring Bruce Arena, the winningest head coach in MLS history, the expectation was that San Jose would make the playoffs in the Western Conference and essentially “run the table”

The biggest questions for San Jose entering the 2026 season are: What changes does Bruce Arena need to make to this squad? What are their positional needs entering the offseason? Will they retain Chicho Arango? How will they replace Cristian Espinoza?

In the offseason guide:

The Positives

Bruce Arena came in and brought his guys. He completed multiple trades with his former team, the New England Revolution, where he managed to bring in Ian Harkes, Dave Romney, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Noel Buck, Earl Edwards Jr. & sign free agent Nick Lima. He also completed a trade with Columbus Crew to acquire DeJuan Jones (another former New England Revolution player). He signed Josef Martinez in free agency & acquired Cristian “Chicho” Arango in a trade with RSL. 

In short; Bruce Arena attracts stars. This club will be fine and did “okay” under Bruce in his first season as head coach.

In regards to on the field productivity, Josef Martinez, Cristian Espinoza & Chicho Arango led the way in contributions. Chicho Arango had 20 goal contributions (13 goals & 7 assists) while Josef Martinez (14 goals & 2 assists) & Cristian Espinoza (4 goals & 12 assists) both had 16 goal contributions respectively.

The Negatives

This team missed the playoffs…. It wasn’t going to be easy for Bruce Arena to assemble his avenger New England Revolution players on a different roster & let it stick, however, the squad missed the playoffs by merely 1-point.

This team struggled to defend. They allowed 63 goals, the second most in the Western Conference this season. They need to strengthen up at the back if they want to contend for trophies.

The biggest concern entering this offseason is the fact that Josef Martinez (contract option declined) & Cristian Espinoza (out of contract) will both NOT return to the club. Additionally, Cristian “Chicho” Arango is attracting bids from Pumas. Additionally, Hernan Lopez spent the season on loan and has a purchase option attached to said loan. The San Jose Earthquakes could be entering the 2026 season with potentially ZERO Designated Players & ONE U22 Player. Bruce really needs to get this offseason right in-order for this team to be successful in 2026.

San Jose managed to make the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals this season. Their road to the Quarterfinals was victories over Sacramento Republic FC (2-1) & Portland Timbers (1-0). As mentioned before, their run came to an end in the Quarterfinals when they fell 2-2 (4-2 in penalties) to Austin FC.

Roster Flexibility

San Jose enters this offseason with a good amount of flexibility. At the moment, the club has two designated players (Cristian “Chicho” Arango & Hernan Lopez) and has 1 rostered U-22 initiative signing (Noel Buck). 

This club will enter the offseason with the option to choose whether they want to enter the 3DP, 3U22 or 2DP, 4U22 model. San Jose currently has $1,448,024 in GAM (as of Sept. 18, 2025).

The club announced their year-end roster update, where they announced most contract option decisions.

San Jose is entering the 2026 season with 27 total players rostered.

Offseason Priorities

Find offensive options to replace Josef Martinez (TAM) & Cristian Espinoza (Designated Player). Losing two key forwards in one offseason is massively detrimental towards the team’s success.

Determine what is going to happen with Chicho Arango & Hernan Lopez. With a $3,000,000 bid from Pumas already being rejected this offseason for Chicho Arango, the Earthquakes might be without Chicho before the start of next season. Additionally, Lopez was loaned to Argentinos Juniors and a purchase option is attached to that loan. The club may have none of their Designated Players from last season.

Sign defenders to strengthen their backline. The club declined the options of THREE depth defenders. Most notably rightback Rodrigues & centerback Bruno Wilson (who was signed in February of 2025). They definitely need to improve there.

Sign midfielders to strengthen their midfield. The club declined Mark-Anthony Kaye’s option so they’ll need to acquire a depth piece to replace him in his depth role.