Keys to reversing downturn 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 threeyear 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 threeplus seasons in San Jose.
“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.”
Here are the keys if the Quakes hope to overcome those expectations and their recent history:
DEVELOPMENT >>
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. 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.
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.
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.