What’s next for Earthquakes following strong showing in Leagues Cup?

The Earthquakes are coming off a fine showing in the Leagues Cup tournament, but as they hold the worst record in the MLS (4-19-2) regular season, the playoffs are not in the cards. So with nine games left in the regular season, what do the Earthquakes have in front of them?

Opportunity.

Ian Russell has an opportunity to parlay his role as interim manager into a full-time opportunity. The youth has an opportunity to gain experience. And as for the team? They have an opportunity to avoid being on the wrong side of history.

“It’s tough to make the playoffs right now,” said Russell, who also served an interim role for San Jose in 2014. “Motivation for players should come from within as well. You can’t always be the coach motivating them. This is their job, they get paid to do this and they’re playing for contracts as well. I think it’s self-motivation as well as the staff pushing them. And just pride — win games.”

For the Earthquakes, who face Salt Lake on Saturday following a week-and-a-half off, pride at this stage in the season is a heck of a motivator. San Jose has allowed a league-worst 61 goals in 25 regular-season games, currently on pace to eclipse the record-worst 79 goals allowed by FC Cincinnati in 2019 — an expansion season.

San Jose’s defense might not be able to avoid the record, but the unit has shown improvement since Russell took over as the interim head coach in late June.

In 10 games under Russell (including the Legends Cup), the Earthquakes have held their opponents to 17 goals, recording its first clean sheet on July 7 against Chicago. In 19 regular-season games under recently fired coach Luchi Gonzalez, by contrast, the Earthquakes allowed 51 goals, or 2.7 per game.

That improved defense is partially a product of Russell’s tactical tweaks in the back. For one, defender Daniel Munie has received more playing time in recent months. Munie, selected in the first round (10th overall) of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, seldom saw the pitch to begin the season, starting two matches and playing 286 total minutes through May. Since June, Munie has started in 10 of San Jose’s 11 matches (including the Leagues Cup) and logged 862 total minutes.

Onetime forward Benjamin Kikanović has re-entered the starting lineup and transitioned to right back. Prior to this season, the only other time that Kikanović appeared at right back in the MLS was June 26, 2021, logging six lone minutes at the position at the very tail end of a two-goal loss.

“Everything goes around communication, which we have been practicing in our training,” said defender Rodrigues through team interpreter Julia Bruno. “Daniel Munie, Benji, Vítor Costa (de Brito) and everyone in the defensive line, they’re all great players with great performances. We’re focused to get our communication and trainings and have that in the field whenever we’re back playing.”

Whether Rodrigues, himself, will continue to be part of San Jose’s defense remains to be seen. According to Capology, Rodrigues’ contract with the Earthquakes expires at the end of this season. When asked about his future, Rodrigues said that his focus is on the Earthquakes.

“This is my team at the moment, and I have a contract here,” Rodrigues said. “So, in case something else comes out, I will leave that for my agent. They know what’s best for the club and for me. But as far as right now, my focus is the San Jose Earthquakes.”