Season Preview: SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES

Welcome to my 7th annual MLS Season Preview, this year with a dedicated preview to each club. Lets get stuck in with the San Jose Earthquakes...



IN:
F Kris Tyrpak (11/19/14 - Dispersal Draft)
M Leandro Barrera (12/10/14 - Waiver Draft)
F Mark Sherrod (12/11/14 - trade from Orlando City)
GK Andy Gruenebaum (12/12/14 - Re-Entry Stage 1 Draft)
D Marvell Wynne (12/18/14 - Re-Entry Stage 2 Draft)
M Sanna Nyassi (12/18/14 - Re-Entry Stage 2 Draft)
M Fatai Alashe (1/15/15 - SuperDraft)
F Innocent Emeghara (1/31/15 - free)
D Paulo Renato (2/26/15 - free)


OUT:
D Jason Hernandez (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft to NYCFC)
GK Jon Busch (12/11/14 - out of contract)
D Andreas Gorlitz (12/11/14 - option declined)
GK Billy Knutsen (12/11/14 - option declined)
D Tommy Muller (12/11/14 - option declined)
F Billy Schuler (12/11/14 - option declined)
M Atiba Harris (12/18/14 - Re-Entry Stage 2 Draft)
M Yannick Djalo (12/31/14 - loan expired)
M Sam Cronin (1/19/15 - traded to Colorado)
GK Andy Gruenebaum (retired)
F Kris Tyrpak (2/26/15 - waived)


MANAGER: Dominic Kinnear


Two bits of good news for San Jose in 2015, after two sub par seasons, is a new stadium, and the return of MLS Legend Dom Kinnear to the bench. In the nine seasons since Kinnear left San Jose, he led Houston to 4 MLS Cup Finals, winning it all twice. San Jose hopes he brings some of that mojo with him upon his return.

Up front, Chris Wondolowski will be joined by the blistering pace of new man Innocent Emeghara. How the more plodding and poaching Wondo mixes with the speed and nose for goal of Emeghara could tell the tale of the season for San Jose.

In the mid, some questions arise as to what Kinnear will do. If he is in the mood to attack, he can play a diamond, with Garcia at the top, Pierazz at the base, and Shea Salinas and Tommy Thompson or Sanna Nyassi as the wide men. (Thompson up top should Garcia miss a match) If he wants to play in a more typical Dom Kinnear style, Garcia can play in the middle of a three, with Salinas left, Emeghara right, and JJ Koval holding alongside Peirazz.

Defensively, the group from 2014 mainly returns, with Goodson and Bernardez pairing in central defense, with Stewart and Wynne at fullback. In the absence of veterans Jon Busch and Andy Gruenbaum, new starter David Bingham takes the big gloves.

Overall, it would be easy to look at the new stadium (new stadium bump?) and quality stewardship of Dominic Kinnear, and predict that San Jose will grind out results, show a little more attacking flair than in the past few seasons, and solidify their defense with two holding mids. It would also be easy to see it as a season too soon before San Jose solidifies themselves in a tough Western Conference.


2014 Western Conference Finish: 9th
Predicted 2015 Western Conference Finish: 7th


Thank you for reading my San Jose Earthquakes preview. Feel free to check out any or all of the other club previews, and remember, as always, MLS Matters.