The San Jose Earthquakes turned heads across the Americas with their selection of Matias Almeyda as their new head coach in October, and on Sunday the club’s official introduction of the new boss to fans gave all parties a thrilling glimpse of the charm and charisma of “El Pelado.”
Some 2,000 people turned up at Avaya Stadium in spite of uncharacteristically bad weather to the “Bienvenido Matias” event, welcoming Almeyda and his staff, taking in a live performance by “Popteño” band SuenaTron and enjoying food and drinks from food trucks and “LOBINA,” the Quakes’ huge outdoor bar at the north end of the stadium.
The spirited reception provided to the Argentinean manager – recently named 2018 Concacaf Men’s Coach of the Year for his work at Chivas Guadalajara – underlined both his strong reputation and the thirst for success among San Jose supporters.
But El Pelado ("The Bald One," an ironic nickname inspired by Almeyda's flowing locks) probably left the most lasting impression of the day when he hopped down off the sheltered stage to join the fans in the pouring rain during a Q-and-A session, beckoning to his fellow coaches to follow suit:
