The San Jose Earthquakes almost defied the American soccer community by taking Sunday 1st round playoff match into penalties. Nobody outside of Northern California thought the Quakes even had a chance. After a 4th-minute goal from Sportings Roger Espinoza, it looked like most people would be proven correct. But this is 2020, and these are the Matias Almeyda Quakes. Here are my thoughts recorded a couple of hours after the end of the match.

The San Jose Earthquakes are back in the playoffs for only the third time since 2012. Exciting for the supporters, but does this team have any chance of beating a Sporting Kansas City squad that went from 11th place in the West last season to 1st this year? If they do, it will not be easy against a team that hasn't given up a goal in three matches. But I still think there is hope, and I break down how I think they can win on Sunday in Kansas City.

After a couple of the most grueling season, a soccer supporter can deal with the Matias Almeyda experiment made some progress now that the San Jose Earthquakes are headed back to the MLS playoffs. The 3-2 win against LAFC gave them a playoff spot. It also made the Quakes the Kings of California soccer in 2020. The final cherry on top was that win also knocked the LA Galaxy out of the playoffs. Here are my thoughts.