San Jose forward Cristian Espinoza said the presence of coach Matías Almeyda was fundamental in his decision to stay with the Earthquakes.
The forward signed a multi-year designated player contract in December after scoring two goals and adding 13 assists in his first season in MLS. After originally acquiring Espinoza on loan, the Earthquakes paid a reported club-record $10 million transfer fee to make his move to the Bay Area permanent.
After taking over the team at the end of 2018, Almeyda flipped a San Jose squad that had finished at the bottom of the Western Conference into a serious playoff contender.