Previewing Houston Dynamo at San Jose Earthquakes with Quakes Epicenter
(image via San Jose Earthquakes)
The Houston Dynamo’s busy May continues with a trip to San Jose this weekend. We talked to our friend Robert Jonas from Quakes Epicenter to get some insight on the Earthquakes ahead of tomorrow’s match.
Bayou City Soccer (BCS): Bruce Arena has taken over as Earthquakes head coach this season. What have been the biggest changes so far this year under Arena?
Quakes Epicenter (QE): On the field, Bruce Arena and the coaching staff, a mix of his colleagues from New England and assistants already established in San Jose, have implemented a straightforward playing style that doesn't overcomplicate decision making for the players. The double-pivot defensive midfielder formation, with wingbacks that play heavily in the attack, has allowed the Quakes to be direct in attack and compact in defense. This was a team that gave up a league record number of goals last season, in part because they were too wide open in the center of the formation. Now, there's more unity in how the players counter-press the ball, move into transition, and even collapse into an organized defensive line. Lots of new additions — some from Arena's New England roster, and others from within the ranks of the Quakes — have embraced the tactics and made it work to an increased degree as the season has progressed.
Off the field, Arena brings legitimacy to an organization that has floundered for over a decade. He announced on day one that he wanted to instill a winning attitude and the accountability that comes with it. So far, that expectation, and the growing confidence in all parts of the organization, has created a more positive vibe around the club. There's an excitement that has been missing of late, and while the team has a long way to go to become a viable contender for trophies, Arena is charting a course that is pointing it in the right direction.
BCS: Cristian Espinoza is in incredible form again this season. What makes him such a great player for this San Jose team, even under different head coaches?
QE: Since arriving from La Liga, Cristian Espinoza has brought class and talent to the Earthquakes. His understated leadership style allows him to be more of a role model for teammates and up and coming young players. On the field, his crossing acumen has been present from the start, and with quality attackers around him, give the Quakes a potent offensive. Arena, like most of his former coaches, doesn't try to make Espinoza into something he isn't, a more central chance creator, allowing him to flourish on the wings, usually on the right, but sometimes in rotation on the left. He is also the team's primary set-piece taker, consistently delivering high quality passes in dangerous areas. Matched with good attacking talent, and backed by more consistent defensive midfielders, Espinoza has really shined so far this season.
BCS: We know how good a goal scorer Chicho Arango is. How has he integrated into this San Jose attack that has the most goals scored in the Western Conference?
QE: Folks knew exactly what they were going to get when Chicho Arango signed with the Quakes in the offseason: a nose to goal forward who'd pressure defenses, take any and every shot presented to him, and deliver consistent scoring. When he's in a good space, motivated to play and supported by teammates, Chicho is a Best XI attacker in MLS. Coming to San Jose was a bit of a reset for him, as he desired a challenge after an uneven year with Real Salt Lake. Arena has given Chicho a lot of trust, and in return, he has given his coach a high level of commitment. His hamstring injury against Inter Miami, which will keep him out of the lineup for the next couple of weeks, is a blow to San Jose's attacking crew — they've scored only one goal in their last two games in all competitions — and others, like Hernan Lopez and Josef Martinez will need to step up in his stead.
BCS: We talked about San Jose having the most goals in the conference but they have also conceded 23 in 14 matches. How has the defense looked this season and where is there some room for improvement?
QE: The Earthquakes defense looks nothing like last year's deflated unit, even if it retains some of the same players from San Jose's 2024 squad. A switch to three central defenders — a rotation of Daniel Munie, Dave Romney, Max Floriani, and Rodriguez — coupled with the defensive midfield play of Ian Harkes and Beau Leroux have provided more stability when defending the ball. And after a slow start to the season, they are gelling into a more cohesive crew. Goalkeeper Daniel, though injured at the moment, has regained some of the form that made him a contender of the 2023 MLS goalkeeper of the year, and his back-up, Earl Edwards Jr., has steadied his play after some tough minutes. DeJuan Jones, recently called up to the U.S. men's national team, and Vitor Costa, dynamic though sometimes erratic, flesh out the wingback roles in Arena's formation — both are tasked with responsibilities on both sides of the ball, which does leave the rest of the defense vulnerable at times —need to develop more consistency for San Jose to keep opposing teams from advancing from wide areas, but that seems to be on track as well. The Quakes are improving game by game, and while there have still been some gaffes, they are becoming far less prevalent.
BCS: With all the changes and Bruce Arena now in charge, does it feel around the club that this season is a playoffs or bust year for San Jose?
QE: Arena's goals for the season go beyond the standings. He has stated that making the playoffs would be a just reward for the squad, but they have to be more consistent in games. Training sessions have been improved in 2025, with a lot of attention paid to individual player development, all in the context of being more competitive in that environment. After the team's recent U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 victory over the Portland Timbers, one that saw Arena field a first-choice starting eleven after resting many players in San Jose's previous MLS game at New England, the head coach outlined his wish to see San Jose triumph in the tournament, to bring joy back to the organization, and to build a foundation that the Quakes are to be respected on the field. Arena is the winningest coach in MLS history by so many metrics, and that standard is one he wants to see established in his time with the Earthquakes.
BCS: Are there any injury concerns for San Jose coming into this match and what do you expect to see for a lineup on Saturday night?
QE: The biggest losses to the line-up will be Chicho Arango on the offensive end and Rodriguez on the defensive end, with the likely absence of goalkeeper Daniel creating another concern. Arena has built the squad with depth in mind — he's stacked the roster with many MLS veterans — and the next man up mentality has served the Earthquakes well to this point in the season. San Jose's home results have been mixed, so expect many of the same players that featured in the team's midweek Open Cup triumph to again take the field at PayPal Park on Saturday.
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We want to thank Robert for his time and wish our friends in the Bay Area the best of luck tomorrow night.
