The San Jose Earthquakes are a professional soccer team in San Jose, California. The “Quakes” play at their home stadium, PayPal Park.
Founded in 1996 as the San Jose Clash, and part of the inaugural set of MLS teams, the Clash played at Spartan Stadium (CEFCU Stadium). In 1999 the team rebranded as the Earthquakes, building upon the previous San Jose Quakes (1974-1988) team identity.
San Jose Clash, 1996-1999
The team began play April 6, 1996 at Spartan Stadium. Under the Clash moniker, and with US Soccer star Eric Wynalda the team went 15-17 and qualified for the playoffs. They were eliminated in the first round by new rivals L.A. Galaxy.
The team had losing records in 1997 and 1998, and did not make the playoffs. However in 1999 the team finished with a 19-13 record but still failed to qualify for the postseason. The team did have success in the U.S. Open tournament, advancing to the quarterfinals in 1997 and 1998.
Earthquakes and MLS Cup Success 2000-2005
The first season as the newly minted Earthquakes was not idea, finishing 7-17 and missing the playoffs for a fourth time. The Quakes brought in former coach Frank Yallop and American star Landon Donovan. In what is the biggest turnaround in MLS history the Quakes 13-7 and won the MLS Cup for the first time.
In the 2002 the team made it to the playoffs but were eliminated in the first round by Columbus Crew. In 2003 the team returned to the finals, defeating the Chicago Fire, 4-2 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.
In 2004 Alex Lala took over the team as General Manager and Landon Donovan was released. The team did well in 2004 and 2005 making the playoffs both years as ownership planned to move the team to Houston.
2006 Departure
After failing to get rights to build a stadium in San Jose, the ownership group moved the team to Houston and renamed the team the Dynamos.
In 2006, John Fisher, known for his disastrous and embarrassing handling of the Oakland Athletics baseball team relocation fiasco, was granted rights to a soccer stadium in San Jose and an expansion team to use the existing Earthquakes branding. Since Fisher assumed control of the Earthquakes they have been mediocre with only a handful of playoff appearances in the 15+ years of his ownership.
2008 Return to Mediocrity
Following the 2006 move to Houston San Jose was without a professional team until 2008. Since returning to play the team has excelled at mediocrity, making the playoffs five times and only advancing twice. After “accidentally” failing to manage the paperwork for their biggest star Christian Espinoza, the quakes have made moves to regain the confidence of their fans.
