Earthquakes season preview: 3 keys to reversing downturn, shocking MLS under new coach Gonzalez

As Luchi Gonzalez starts his tenure with the San Jose Earthquakes, he hopes to do something no Quakes coach has done since 2010: win a playoff series.

Gonzalez won a playoff round with FC Dallas in 2020, part of his three-year stint as manager there. He then was an assistant coach with the U.S. Men’s National Team through the 2022 World Cup before joining the Quakes, who open the season at Atlanta United on Saturday (4:30 p.m., Apple TV+).

Gonzalez takes over from Matias Almeyda, who had a history of turning around clubs in Mexico and Argentina but wasn’t able to continue that success in three-plus seasons in San Jose.

The Quakes went 2-1 against MLS competition this preseason under Gonzalez.

“I felt we accomplished a lot of those objectives and building the brotherhood with the group, in terms of our team values and culture, and our playing identity and playing style,” Gonzalez said. “We’re excited to get to Atlanta, start the beginning of 2023, and show what we are capable of doing.”

The Quakes’ 12-year run without advancing in the playoffs is the second-longest drought in MLS history behind the Chicago Fire, who haven’t won a round since 2009.

The oddsmakers aren’t keen on a playoff breakthrough happening this year – DraftKings has the Quakes tied with expansion team St. Louis City SC for the worst odds to win the 14-team Western Conference at 50-1.

Here are the keys if the Quakes hope to overcome those expectations and their recent history:

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Gonzalez had a strong track record of developing talent during his time as the academy coach at FC Dallas.

That makes him a good fit for the Quakes, who may have three players at the U20 World Cup this year. Forward Cade Cowell, 19, midfielder Niko Tsakiris, 17, and midfielder Cruz Medina, 16, are indicative of the promising young players in the Quakes pipeline.

Cowell in particular is a rising star who has generated interest from top European clubs like AC Milan, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Newcastle, according to soccer news website 90min. Cowell, a speedy winger, has nine goals and 12 assists since making his MLS debut in 2020.

At FC Dallas, where Gonzalez was the team’s academy director from 2012-18 before coaching the first team from 2019-21, Gonzalez developed U.S. National Team players Weston McKennie, Chris Richards, Jesus Ferreira and Kellyn Acosta.

REVAMPED DEFENSE

The Quakes scored 52 goals last season, the fifth-most in the 14-team Western Conference, but finished in last place because they allowed 69 goals, 12 more than any other team.

Part of that was due to the open system employed by Almeyda, but the players on the back line played a role as well.

Gonzalez should have the team more organized and compact in the back this season, but the front office also worked to improve the talent level.

Ghana National Team defender Jonathan Mensah was acquired on Feb. 10 from Columbus, where he was a team captain, won the MLS Cup and was an MLS Best XI selection in 2020. Mensah’s arrival came just days after Nathan, who was expected to start at centerback for the Quakes, tore his ACL in a preseason friendly.

Mensah will lead a back line full of recent arrivals. Peruvian left back Miguel Trauco, who came from France’s League 1, was signed in September. Equatorial Guinea fullback Carlos Akapo, who came from La Liga in Spain, and Brazilian centerback Rodriguez were both signed in August.

There will also be a competition at goalie between JT Marcinkowski, the team’s starter for the past two years, and Daniel, a Brazilian who allowed 74 goals in 83 matches for Internacional in Brazil’s top division.

BIG SIGNING

The Quakes spent a club-record transfer fee to bring in Ecuador National Team veteran Carlos Gruezo from German Bundesliga side FC Augsburg. The defensive midfielder may not play the most heralded position, but the Quakes hope that if Gruezo can control the middle of the pitch, it will free up the attacking players while helping the defense maintain its structure.

“Our process was to solidify and improve the midfield with a competitive piece, an experienced piece, depth, a leader on and off the field, someone that can be a great example in the locker room but also align himself with the way we want to play and our identity on the field, which is with a lot of intensity, a lot of urgency,” Gonzalez said.

Gruezo, 27, also brings a winning pedigree from his previous stint in MLS with FC Dallas. He won the Supporters Shield and the U.S. Open Cup during his 3 1/2 seasons with FC Dallas from 2016-19 before going to Germany.

He has made 47 appearances for Ecuador, including a start against Senegal in the 2022 World Cup.