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There\u2019s a new level of intensity on the pitch. Whether it\u2019s big signings like Timo Werner<\/a> or homegrown products like Niko Tsakiris<\/a>, \u2018Quakes fans have seen standout individual performances, in addition to a cohesive team effort on both sides of the ball. Tsakiris\u2019 recent groin injury was a big blow to the club, however.<\/p>\n The score lines tell an even more compelling story.<\/p>\n Wins make an impact, but they also raise expectations. Sure, teams can force results, but when they\u2019re consistently blowing out opponents, that sends a statement.\u00a0Big wins, including a 4-1 rout away at LAFC<\/a> which was immediately followed by a 5-1 thrashing of Austin FC<\/a> at home, put the league on notice \u2014 the \u2018Quakes aren\u2019t messing around this year. The club\u2019s +18 goal differential is tied for the second-best mark in the league.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n But even more fascinating is what\u2019s going on off the pitch.<\/p>\n Photo by Kevork Djansezian\/Getty Images<\/p>\n There\u2019s always something fractured about the Bay Area\u2019s relationship with soccer. There are simply too many teams, too many loyalties, too many foreign connections. Whether due to inconsistent performances on the pitch, or a lack of connection with the community off of it, the \u2018Quakes haven\u2019t completely ingrained themselves with the area that has historically adored the sport, but not necessarily the team.<\/p>\n Things may be changing, slowly but surely.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a quiet buzz building around the Earthquakes. You\u2019ll notice the team being brought up in conversations amongst friends, or in the office first thing Monday morning after the weekend slate of games. The \u2018Quakes will be squeezed into the group chat while big European fixtures are on. A general curiosity has evolved into belief, something that hasn\u2019t been felt in PayPal Park for quite some time.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n It doesn\u2019t feel overwhelming. But it\u2019s real.<\/p>\n And maybe that\u2019s why it feels unique. It\u2019s not forced or overhyped, and you don\u2019t feel like you\u2019re hopping on the bandwagon. It\u2019s natural. It\u2019s people tuning into the game knowing they have a reason to.<\/p>\n Turning on the TV or seeing it live feels less like a duty and more like something you fear missing out on.\u00a0The energy around the team is different, in an indescribable way. Bruce Arena\u2019s<\/a> men employ a modern style of play that\u2019s genuinely enjoyable to watch.<\/p>\n Those spells each week begin to build something larger than getting positive outcomes. It tends to build trust. For the last decade or so, watching the \u2018Quakes almost felt like expecting disappointment but still cheering on. With this season, it most definitely feels the complete opposite.<\/p>\n Photo by Brandon Vallance\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n However, there\u2019s always this second thought: How much better can it get?<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve been following the team for a while, you come to realize that you shouldn\u2019t have full faith early on. You\u2019ve witnessed promising runs before. You\u2019ve had this feeling of momentum growing, only for it to disintegrate in a heartbeat. That narrative never leaves because of a positive run.<\/p>\n However, this start to the season feels unique. Big wins can happen anywhere, but the personality of this team hits different. The simplicity in which it plays breeds consistency, which is cause for hope.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/a41b114a4ba4db64bfd4c781e32e46a8.jpeg\"\/)
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