San Jose Earthquakes 5–0 Necaxa: Where Did That Come From?

The Leagues Cup is an opportunity for every MLS and Liga MX clubs, not just those that qualify for the CONCACAF Champions Cup, to test themselves against opposition across the southern US border. It’s an opportunity that San Jose Earthquakes took in full stride. But where did that come from?

Jeremy Ebobisse was named Player of the Match as his two goals in the first half marked a dominant San Jose Earthquakes performance against Necaxa. Image Credit: Leagues Cup.

A year ago, the Quakes were effectively eliminated before a ball was kicked placed in a group with Mexican juggernauts Tigres and sent to play away in Providence Park against Portland Timbers. That proved to be the case, and this year’s edition appeared to be more of the same against powerhouses Chivas de Guadalajara and rivals LA Galaxy.

Instead, San Jose flipped the script by beating Chivas on penalties and had a commendable effort in a 2–1 loss to LA Galaxy. The California Clasico rivals helped them out by also beating Chivas on penalties, allowing San Jose Earthquakes to progress to the Round of 32 ahead of the Mexican club on head-to-head results.

From there, the San Jose Earthquakes took on a rising club in Necaxa and took them down. A Flawless performance that saw Jeremy Ebobisse lead the way with a brace, Amahl Pellegrino contributed with two assists, and captain Jackson Yueill started it all off with his goal in the first five minutes.

No matter what happens with the other Round of 32 fixtures in the Leagues Cup, San Jose Earthquakes will stick out among the last 16 teams as the most unlikely one left standing among them. They are dead last in the Major League Soccer table with just 10 league games left when play resumes on August 24. But their efforts earned them a game on Tuesday, August 13 against LAFC.

The prior matches against LAFC have defined the San Jose Earthquakes season up to this point. The high point prior to this emphatic Necaxa victory was beating LAFC 3–1 on May 4 at Levi’s Stadium, but the low point was losing to them on the road 6–2 which was Luchi Gonzalez’s swan song before interim coach Ian Russell took over.

BMO Field will be an opportunity for redemption for the San Jose Earthquakes. No matter what happens, a Round of 16 appearance in the Leagues Cup is a successful showing for this side after a tough first 2/3 of the MLS campaign. Fans have something to look forward to now with this team. But if they can knock out LAFC, this high doesn’t have to be fleeting. This legitimately could carry over to finish 2024 strong and have a strong 2025 campaign.

Go Quakes!