2014 Record: 30 points, 6-16-12 (W-L-T) record and 9th in the Western Conference
Playoffs: Missed
Key Additions: Head Coach Dominic Kinnear, GK Keasal Broome, GK David Bingham, D Marvell Wynne, M Sanna Nyassi, M Farai Alashe, M Leandro Barrera, F Innocent Emeghara, and F Mark Sherrod.
Key Losses: GK Jon Busch, GK Billy Knutsen, D Ryan Neil, D Joe Sofia, RB Pablo Pintos, CB Jason Hernandez, D Andreas Gorlitz, M Sam Cronin, M/F Atiba Harris, F Billy Schuler, F Tommy Muller, F Yannick Djalo, and F Alan Gordon.
One of the biggest additions in the offseason for the San Jose Earthquakes was former Head Coach Dominic Kinnear who was released after last season with the Houston Dynamo upon mutual agreement. One other big signing for the Earthquakes was Innocent Emeghara, a Swiss international forward who became the 3rd Designated Player to be signed by the club.
One key loss for the Earthquakes was GK Jon Busch who had his club option declined and signed with the Chicago Fire after a season where he set the Earthquakes highest save mark at 138 in 2014. Alan Gordon was traded to the Los Angeles Galaxy due to a plethora of forwards during the season, and Yannick Djalo was on loan for 2014. Djalo’s loan ended which sent him back to S.L. Benfica.
Some of the changes in the club were due in part to club veterans growing older and in part to Kinnear returning and trying to set up the roster with players he thought would help them return to the winning fashion they had when he coached before. David Bingham was sent on loan to the San Antonio Scorpions last season, and will return this season to be the new starting Goalkeeper for the Earthquakes after sitting behind the veteran for a few seasons.
In past seasons, Chris Wondolowski has been the bright spot, scoring the most consistently out of any player since 2010. There is no reason that he should not be able to continue that streak, especially with the talent that the team has acquired in the offseason in veterans Marvell Wynne and Sanna Nyassi.
Matias Perez Garcia, who was acquired during the 2014 season, scored in his debut against the Los Angeles Galaxy but then dealt with some minor injuries keeping him from competition. According to sources close to the team, he has looked very good in the preseason and fans should be especially excited for the technical ability he will bring to the team this year.
Tommy Thompson is only 19 years old, but as the Earthquakes first Homegrown Player signing, he has the ability to become a great forward. Coach Kinnear also has a proven track record of developing solid players from youngsters in the league, which will inevitably help Thompson to become better.
Although the Earthquakes did not make some of the bigger name signings like the larger clubs who acquired Kaka, David Villa, Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard, Head Coach Dominic Kinnear and his staff seem to have set the Earthquakes up very well. Fans should be excited as well as ready to see what the 2015 season will have in store, as they christen their new stadium which is set to open when the Earthquakes take on the Chicago Fire in their home opener on March 22, 2015.