San Jose Earthquakes

An earlier Earthquakes team played in the NASL in 1974–1984 and Western Soccer Alliance in 1985–1988.⁠[1]

San Jose became a charter MLS member on June 15, 1994.⁠[1]

On April 6, 1996, the Clash beat D.C. UnitedD.C. UnitedD.C. United is a professional soccer club in Washington, D.C., competing in MLS at Audi Field. An original member of the league in 1996, it won MLS Cup in 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2004.Open the full entry 1–0 at Spartan Stadium in the first MLS match. Eric Wynalda scored the late winner and the league’s first goal.⁠[2]

In 1999, the club decided to replace Clash with Earthquakes for the 2000 season.⁠[1]

On October 21, 2001, the Earthquakes won their first MLS Cup, defeating the LA GalaxyLA GalaxyLA Galaxy are a Major League Soccer club that began playing in 1996 and won their sixth MLS Cup in 2024. Their home is in Carson, California.Open the full entry 2–1 after extra time.⁠[3]

On November 9, 2003, San Jose recovered from a 4–0 aggregate deficit to eliminate the Galaxy 5–4 in the Western Conference Semifinals. The club went on to win that year’s MLS Cup.⁠[3]

The club won its first Supporters’ Shield with 64 points in 2005.⁠[1]

On December 15, 2005, AEG announced that contracted players and coaches would move to Houston. MLS retained the Earthquakes name, colors and competition records for a future San Jose expansion team. San Jose then sat out two seasons.⁠[4][5]

On July 18, 2007, Lew Wolff exercised his purchase rights to bring the Earthquakes back to San Jose.⁠[3]

The team resumed play in 2008, using Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara as its temporary home and staging some games in Oakland.⁠[1]

Chris Wondolowski returned in a 2009 trade from Houston. He won the 2010 MLS Golden Boot with 18 goals and helped San Jose reach the playoffs.⁠[6]

On November 29, 2012, Wondolowski was named MLS Most Valuable Player. His 27 goals equaled the league’s single-season record at the time and helped San Jose win the Supporters’ Shield with the best regular-season record.⁠[7]

On March 22, 2015, San Jose beat Chicago FireChicago Fire FCChicago Fire FC is a professional soccer club in Major League Soccer, with its regular home at Soldier Field in Chicago.Open the full entry 2–1 in Avaya Stadium’s inaugural MLS match before 18,000 spectators. Fatai Alashe and Ty Harden scored for the home side.⁠[8]

On April 5, 2021, the club and PayPalPayPalPayPal Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: PYPL) is an American digital payments company that operates payment brands including PayPal, Venmo, Braintree, and Xoom, providing online and in-store payments, money transfers, and consumer credit to consumers and merchants worldwide.Open the full entry announced a ten-year naming agreement for PayPal Park. The 18,000-seat soccer venue stands on Coleman Avenue in San Jose, beside the airport.⁠[9]

On November 7, 2021, Wondolowski announced his retirement after scoring in the season finale, ending a 17-season career. He retired with MLS records of 171 regular-season goals, including 167 for San Jose.⁠[6]

San Jose finished last overall in MLS in 2024 with six wins, 25 losses, three draws and 21 points. Its 78 goals conceded set the league’s single-season record at the time.⁠[10]

Bruce Arena became sporting director and head coach in November 2024. At his introductory press conference, he outlined plans to improve results through a playing identity, roster changes and opportunities for academy players.⁠[10]

San Jose finished tenth in the West in 2025 with 11 wins, 15 losses, eight draws and 41 points, missing the playoffs despite scoring 60 goals.⁠[11]

On June 18, 2025, MLS announced that the Earthquakes’ owners had begun a process to sell a controlling interest, appointing Moelis & Co. to lead it. The announcement identified John Fisher as principal owner since 2008.⁠[5]

On January 29, 2026, San Jose announced Timo Werner’s permanent transfer from RB Leipzig on a Designated Player contract through June 2028. His roster addition was subject to a work visa and international transfer certificate.⁠[12]

On June 15, 2026, the club extended Arena’s contract through 2028–29. San Jose entered the World Cup break at 10–3–2, tied on points for first in the West. John Fisher was still identified as managing partner.⁠[13]

As of October 2026, the official directory lists Jared Shawlee as president and Arena as sporting director and head coach. Wondolowski serves as head of individual development for U23 players.⁠[14]

San Jose Earthquakes: Official website: https://www.sjearthquakes.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[15]