San Jose Earthquakes 2018 season preview: Roster, projected lineup, schedule, national TV and more

Jon Arnold

San Jose Earthquakes 2018 season preview: Roster, projected lineup, schedule, national TV and more image

The San Jose Earthquakes were technically a playoff team in 2017, but it didn't feel like it.

Party of that is how poorly the one game they played in the postseason went - the Quakes were down in the 33rd minute and conceded four more to the Vancouver Whitecaps in a 5-0 knockout round thrashing.

The other part is the Quakes struggling during the regular season, giving up 60 goals and losing 14 games in the 34-match season.

This year, with new coach Mikael Stahre and general manager Jesse Fioranelli entering his second season, the Quakes are aiming not only to make the playoffs but to be a team that belongs in the playoffs.


How did the San Jose Earthquakes perform in 2017?


Tommy Thompson San Jose Earthquakes

2017 finish: Sixth in Western Conference (13-14-7), lost in knockout round

The Earthquakes lost more matches than they won in 2017 and ran up a -21 goal difference, but still managed to lock up the final postseason spot in the West. The playoff run ended quickly, though, with the Vancouver Whitecaps winning the knockout round match by a 5-0 margin.


San Jose Earthquakes' key offseason losses


David Bingham San Jose Earthquakes

A number of players who had been in San Jose for several seasons departed Northern California this offseason, starting with Marco Urena, whom LAFC picked up in the expansion draft. El Salvador international Darwin Ceren and U.S. goalkeeper David Bingham both moved in trades.

Defenders Andres Imperiale and Matheus Silva each signed elsewhere, while Kip Colvey moved to the Colorado Rapids in the waiver draft. Victor Bernardez's contract option was declined and the Honduran center back is starting a coaching career.


San Jose Earthquakes' key offseason additions


Magnus Eriksson Malmo

Two players from coach Mikael Stahre's home country Sweden are now suiting up for the Quakes, with winger Magnus Eriksson and left back Joel Qwiberg arriving from Scandinavia in the winter.

Yeferson Quintana, a center back, arrived from Uruguayan side Penarol on loan. San Jose also signed Danny Hoesen from Groningen after he scored five goals on loan from the Dutch side last year.


Full San Jose Earthquakes roster entering 2018 season


Jahmir Hyka Nick Lima San Jose Earthquakes MLS 052017

Goalkeepers: Matt Bercano, JT Marcinkowski, Andrew Tarbell

Defenders: Francois Affolter, Jacob Akanyirige, Harold Cummings, Nick Lima, Jimmy Ockford, Yeferson Quintana, Joel Qwiberg

Midfielders: Fatai Alashe, Eric Calvillo, Magnus Eriksson, Luis Felipe, Gilbert Fuentes, Anibal Godoy, Jahmir Hyka, Florian Jungwirth, Vako, Shea Salinas, Tommy Thompson, Chris Wehan, Jackson Yueill

Forwards: Quincy Amarikwa, Danny Hoesen, Chris Wondolowski


San Jose Earthquakes projected starting lineup


GFX San Jose Earthquakes XI mls preview

Mikael Stahre has used a 4-4-2 during the preseason and seems ready to stick with that after sometimes utilizing a 4-2-3-1 last season. Tarbell is set to start in goal with Cummings and new arrival Quintana in the middle.

On the left side, Qwiberg is yet to displace Salinas from the starting role, but Salinas will have to perform well to keep the offseason signing on the bench.

Stahre has plenty of options in the midfield, where we've projected Godoy and Jungwirth in the middle with Vako and Eriksson. Vako, a designated player who provided spark down the stretch, and new addition Eriksson are the likely starters but Thompson and Hyka both saw minutes last year and will push those players.

Up top, Hoesen and Wondolowski will start with Amarikwa providing depth off the bench.


San Jose Earthquakes national TV coverage


Chirs Wondolowski San Jose Earthquakes MLS

San Jose Earthquakes vs. NYCFC - Saturday, March 31, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2
LA Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes - Friday, May 25, at 11 p.m. ET on Unimas
Chicago Fire vs. San Jose Earthquakes - Saturday, June 2, at 3 p.m. ET on Univision
San Jose Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy - Saturday June 30, at 10 p.m. ET on Unimas
LAFC vs. San Jose Earthquakes - Saturday, Sept. 22, at 3:30 p.m. ET on Univision

Jon Arnold

Jon Arnold Photo

Jon Arnold covered the Mexico national team and Concacaf region in English for Goal until March 2020. His byline also has appeared in the Dallas Morning News, the New York Times Goal blog, FloFC and Pacific Standard. In addition to his written work, he serves as the Concacaf expert on the BBC's World Football Phone-In and has appeared on SiriusXMFC in English and Fox Deportes and Milenio in Spanish. Formerly based in Tijuana and currently living in Texas, Jon covered the 2018 World Cup, the 2015 Copa America, the 2016 Copa America Centenario and the last five Gold Cups.