The San Jose Earthquakes 2018 season may have ended in a loss, but overall it was a positive step for a team that has lacked direction the last several seasons. Matias Almeyda came into San Jose and installed a South American style system that had the Quakes players running full-speed at the opposition for 90 minutes.
They scored more goals and allowed less this season than in 2018 and emerged as a legitimate playoff contender.
Some called Almeyda’s system unorthodox because they didn’t understand it. Some called it that because it had just chewed up their favorite team and spit them out, leaving a battered and soggy mess on the ground.