Going into the MLS is Back tournament, the San Jose Earthquakes are one of the more difficult teams to prognosticate.
They have a well-respected, proven coach in Matias Almeyda, who guided them to a much-improved 2019 campaign that saw them narrowly miss the playoffs after a late-season collapse, with many expecting them to take another leap forward this season. But they were winless through their first two matches of 2020, needing a miracle stoppage-time free-kick from Oswaldo Alanis to salvage a 2-2 draw at home against a Michael Bradley-less Toronto FC side in their season opener, and getting run off the field by Minnesota United 5-2 at Earthquakes Stadium in Week 2.
So, who exactly are the 2020 Quakes, and what should be expected from them at the upcoming tournament? Former San Jose goalkeeper and current club broadcaster Joe Cannon stopped by The Kickaround Live to discuss his thoughts on the team's prospects.
San Jose begin tournament play with a July 10 matchup against the defending MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders (10:30 pm ET | ESPN). They're joined in Group B by the Vancouver Whitecaps and Chicago Fire FC (FC Dallas were withdrawn).
"I would say you probably have to get into a quarterfinal game, for me," Cannon told hosts Calen Carr and Jillian Sakovits. "This team is definitely good enough to get into the knockout competition. I wouldn't be surprised to see them go farther. But for me, getting to the knockout competition and winning that game I think would be a success, at least in my opinion."
Watch Cannon's full comments below.
