The San Jose Earthquakes are embarking on their second season under the guidance of renowned head coach Bruce Arena, with high aspirations for an MLS Cup playoff berth. Drawing parallels from Arena's successful history of leading teams to post-season glory in their sophomore campaigns, the Earthquakes are hopeful for a breakthrough. Their pre-season performance, marked by three victories including two shutouts, along with the notable acquisition of German international Timo Werner, signals a renewed ambition for the club. However, the team faces an early challenge as Werner's debut is likely to be postponed due to ongoing visa issues, potentially impacting their opening fixture against Sporting Kansas City.
Bruce Arena, a distinguished figure in American soccer, brings a wealth of experience to San Jose. At 74, he has previously coached four other MLS teams, each of which reached the playoffs in his second full season, with three securing the coveted Supporters' Shield. This impressive record fuels the Earthquakes' optimism, especially after a narrow miss for the Western Conference playoff spot last season, losing out on a tiebreaker to Real Salt Lake.
The club's strategic move to sign Timo Werner on a Designated Player contract is a clear statement of intent. Werner, 29, boasts a respectable record of 24 goals in 57 international appearances for Germany. His arrival is crucial for filling the offensive void left by the departure of key players Josef Martinez, who led the team with 14 goals, and Cristian Espinoza, who topped the assists chart with 12. Despite his recent injury-plagued season at RB Leipzig, Werner's proven scoring ability is expected to revitalize San Jose's attack. Yet, his immediate impact is uncertain as Arena confirmed on Sirius XM radio that Werner's visa processing is still underway, making his availability for the season opener doubtful.
In contrast, their opponents, Sporting Kansas City, are undergoing a significant transition after finishing last in the Western Conference last season, with a mere seven wins and a minus-24 goal differential. Long-serving coach Peter Vermes, who led SKC to an MLS Cup title in 2013, has been replaced by Raphael Wicky. Wicky, a former Swiss international midfielder and 2006 World Cup participant, previously guided Swiss Super League team BSC Young Boys to a championship in 2022-23. His prior MLS coaching stint with the Chicago Fire from 2020-21 ended without a playoff appearance. Wicky's philosophy for rebuilding SKC centers on maintaining possession and implementing an aggressive pressing style, as he articulated his preference for teams that are comfortable and assertive, both with and without the ball.
Sporting KC's squad has also seen changes, including the trade of veteran striker Daniel Salloi to Toronto FC. Despite these adjustments, the team demonstrated promise in their final preseason match, securing a 2-0 victory over Austin FC. Wicky expressed confidence in the team's trajectory, stating they are on a positive path to establishing their desired identity and DNA for the upcoming season.
As the new MLS season commences, the San Jose Earthquakes are banking on the strategic prowess of Bruce Arena and the potential of new signing Timo Werner to propel them towards a successful campaign. The team's strong pre-season form, coupled with the coach's historical success in second-year tenures, sets a hopeful tone. The main challenge lies in integrating Werner once his visa issues are resolved, ensuring their offensive capabilities are fully unleashed. This season marks a critical period for San Jose to translate their ambitions into tangible on-field achievements.