Arena’s Last Stand in San Jose

     With one match left in San Jose’s campaign, Bruce Arena’s first season at the helm of the Earthquakes invites judgment. Has the most decorated coach in Major League Soccer history revived a franchise mired in mediocrity, or has he merely steadied a ship still drifting aimlessly? The answer lies somewhere in between but trending toward cautious optimism. When San Jose hired Arena in November 2024 as both sporting director and head coach, the move was as much about credibility as it was about competition. The Earthquakes had just suffered through a humiliating 2024 campaign, finishing dead last in MLS and conceding a league-high number of goals. The club needed discipline, identity, and a new sense of purpose, and Arena’s pedigree as a five-time MLS Cup champion with a reputation for instilling structure was seen as the ultimate reset button. The expectations weren’t for instant glory but for stability, accountability, and the beginnings of a long-overdue cultural overhaul.

Arena’s impact, while not miraculous, has been measurable. San Jose is no longer the chaos-ridden team it was a year ago. The roster, bolstered by experienced veterans such as Josef Martínez, Cristian Arango, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Ian Harkes, and Dave Romney, reflects Arena’s trademark emphasis on leadership and familiarity. His sides rarely implode the way previous versions did; they defend as a unit, press with intent, and show signs of a coherent plan. Early in the season, the Earthquakes climbed the MLS power rankings for the first time in years, riding a mix of pragmatism and energy that recalled Arena’s early successes with D.C. United and the LA Galaxy. Their run to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup provided a tangible bright spot, proof that San Jose could once again punch above its weight.

Yet even the best tacticians cannot escape certain realities. The Quakes’ lingering defensive frailties, intermittent form, and a lack of consistent finishing have kept them on the fringe of the playoff picture. With one match remaining, a postseason berth remains uncertain. But context matters: this was never supposed to be a championship season. This was about transformation, and Arena has delivered enough evidence that one is underway. What makes his task harder are the headwinds blowing off the pitch. Owner John Fisher’s decision to sell the Earthquakes midseason cast a shadow of instability over the club. For months, speculation has swirled about whether the sale is linked to Fisher’s efforts to fund the Oakland A’s relocation to Las Vegas, raising questions about how much commitment or capital would remain for the soccer side. San Jose has operated for years on one of the league’s smallest budgets, ranking near the bottom in payroll and transfer spending. That reality limits any manager’s ceiling, even one with Arena’s resume.

Arena’s history itself looms large over this project. From guiding the U.S. Men’s National Team to its best modern World Cup finish in 2002 to building dynasties at D.C. United and the LA Galaxy, his career has defined American soccer coaching. But it hasn’t been without controversy. His exit from the New England Revolution in 2023 amid an internal investigation left his reputation dented, making San Jose not just another job but a redemption story in motion. A strong first season was as much about legacy repair as it was about league standings. By bringing professionalism and purpose to a fractured locker room, Arena has gone a long way toward reclaiming that legacy.

The question now is whether the organization can meet him halfway. Even the most brilliant architect needs materials to build. Without greater investment in quality players, improved infrastructure, and a stable ownership transition, Arena’s efforts risk stagnation. But if the next ownership group grants him time and resources, the Quakes could become one of MLS’s most intriguing comeback stories, a club resurrected by one of the league’s founding giants. In truth, the measure of Bruce Arena’s first year shouldn’t be the final standings but the trajectory. San Jose no longer looks hopeless. It looks like a team learning how to win again, a club rediscovering its pulse. That, in itself, might be the greatest victory of all.