With the 2017 season officially in the books, the San Jose Earthquakes have plenty to be proud of on and off the field. A trip to the postseason for the first time in five years and a spot in the U.S. Open Cup semis for the first time since 2004 highlight the calendar year.
Let’s takes a look at how individuals on the team fared this year and how they impacted the club.
Florian Jungwirth
The defensive midfielder was asked to do dirty work from Day One. With Harold Cummings and Marvell Wynne both sidelined for health reasons, the dynamic German was slotted in at center back in what, at the time, may have been considered a temporary fix. His leadership qualities and versatility were immediately on display and he was selected to the Team of the Week for his MLS debut.
With Cummings and Wynne out for the entirety of 2017, Jungwirth remained on the back line and proved to be a rock, leading the club’s defensemen in appearances (30), starts (30) and minutes played (2,600). He was rewarded with the Earthquakes Defensive Player of the Year Award. He also contributed offensively with two goals and three assists.
Jungwirth, 28, did get to play sporadically in his preferred defensive midfielder role, including 90 minutes in the team’s vital 1-0 home win over Houston in mid-September.
