San Jose Earthquakes Thrive Amid Injury Challenges
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Major League Soccer often faces turmoil in May as fixture congestion leads to a slew of injuries, illnesses, and availability issues. This disruption affects team tactics and lineups, resulting in breakdowns for strong teams and complete collapses for weaker ones.
This phenomenon is well-recognized, and MLS coaches are not shy in discussing it. Toronto FC coach Robin Fraser expressed his frustration over his team’s injury woes, labeling them “inexplicable,” while also acknowledging that “the building of the relationships, the rhythm and that sort of thing gets disrupted.” Meanwhile, Austin FC coach Nico Estevez, when asked about potential improvements, responded with a sigh, stating, “It is necessary that we are well.”
However, San Jose Earthquakes coach Bruce Arena took a different perspective.
As he prepared for a key matchup against the Vancouver Whitecaps at home—amid a crowded schedule and without key players Timo Werner and Niko Tsakiris—Arena dismissed the circumstances with refreshing clarity.
“That’s all part of it. Injuries are unfortunate, but it is part of the game and we can’t use it as an excuse,” Arena stated.
“Like everyone says, it’s next man up.”
Arena’s straightforward approach seems effective. As matchday wrapped up, Fraser’s Toronto found itself in ninth place in the East, Estevez’s Austin was 13th in the West, while Arena’s “next men up” held the top position in the league.
From Substitutes to Stars
Arena appears to have structured the 2026 San Jose team around a “next man up” philosophy. He parted ways with several of the team’s biggest stars and goal scorers—Chicho Arango, Josef Martinez, and Cristian Espinoza—during the offseason, opting to promote players who had been sidelined in 2025, including Ousseni Bouda and Preston Judd.
Neither player received substantial minutes in 2025; Bouda started 13 of 34 games, while Judd only appeared in the starting lineup for 10 matches. However, both have transitioned smoothly into starting roles for 2026.
Judd, in particular, has emerged as a standout for San Jose. He ranks among the top attacking players in MLS, with eight goals and two assists—an impressive tally for someone who spent much of last season on the bench.
“It’s another year of experience,” Arena noted regarding Judd’s growth. “He’s with a new coach, a new way of playing, and it’s well suited to his skillset. He has confidence, and we’ve given him the opportunity to be a full-time player and he’s taken advantage of that.”
Judd played a crucial role in securing San Jose’s opening goal against Vancouver, scoring just four minutes into the game. His trademark performance featured a rapid sprint, a fierce contest with two defenders, and a flawless shot to finish.