The wait is finally over - The Quakes 2016 schedule has been released!
As we countdown the days until opening day at Avaya Stadium, we highlight seven matches to look forward to during the 2016 season!
Sunday, March 6 vs. Colorado Rapids at Avaya Stadium
The first-ever Week 1 matchup at Avaya Stadium sees the Quakes go up against the Colorado Rapids. It marks the 60th meeting between the two Western Conference sides in the regular season, with the Quakes holding a commanding 27-18-14 record to date.
San Jose will be looking to continue their strong play at Avaya Stadium, where they allowed just nine goals in 15 games last season.
Saturday, April 2 vs. D.C. United at Avaya Stadium
The Quakes and D.C. United will recreate the league’s inaugural match played on April 6, 1996, 20 years after San Jose prevailed 1-0 at Spartan Stadium.
D.C. will be looking to avenge a 2-0 loss at the hands of the Earthquakes in 2015, one of only three losses the side suffered at RFK Stadium all season.
Saturday, May 7 vs. Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field
After disposing of Seattle at CenturyLink Field twice last season, can San Jose do it again in 2016? The Quakes are now 5-5-1 on the road against their rival to the north and have a chance to take the series lead.
In addition, the Quakes new forward Chad Barrett will be returning to where he called home for the past two seasons. Barrett scored 12 goals in 44 games for Sounders FC from 2014-15.
Saturday, June 18 vs. Orlando City SC at the Citrus Bowl
This marks the Earthquakes first-ever road trip to face Orlando City SC. The best Eastern Conference club to miss out on the postseason last year, Orlando City SC will be in search of their first playoff birth in team history in 2016.
The club is led by legendary Brazilian midfielder Kaka, who tallied nine goals and seven assists in his first MLS season last year. Kaka converted a penalty kick against San Jose at Levi’s® Stadium last season, leading to a 1-1 draw.
Saturday, June 25 vs. LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium
The California Clásico. Need I say more?
The annual event is one of the summer’s biggest sporting events in the Bay Area, routinely attracting 50,000 soccer fans to Stanford Stadium.
It marks the Clásico’s fifth year in existence, with San Jose holding a 3-1-0 advantage at Stanford all-time. The postgame fireworks are outdone only by the fireworks on the field.
Saturday, July 16 vs. Toronto FC at Avaya Stadium
Earthquakes fans get their first look at the superstar trio of Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco, who have never faced the Quakes in the San Jose.
Fans unfamiliar with Giovinco last year quickly learned his diminutive frame packed a big punch. In his first season in MLS, Giovinco led the league in both goals (22) and assists (16), snapping Chris Wondolowski’s record for most combined goals and assists set in 2012 (34). He was appropriately named league MVP for his lightning-in-a-bottle performance.
Friday, August 5 vs. New York City FC at Avaya Stadium
NYCFC grabbed headlines in 2015 with major player signings, including English midfielder Frank Lampard, Italian playmaker Andrea Pirlo and Spanish goal-scorer David Villa, among others.
Although the club finished with a lackluster 10-17-7 record and missed out on the playoffs in its first season, NYCFC continues to be must-see action. And with a new manager in the form of Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, the tide could soon be turning for the Eastern Conference side.
