Cristian Espinoza has one goal and two assists so far this season for the San Jose Earthquakes. Only Cade Cowell has more combined production for the Quakes, with two goals and three assists to date.
Ahead of the season restart after a three-week break because of the international window, the Earthquakes are on a four-game losing streak but have not exactly played badly throughout that run, which makes it rather puzzling. If they’re playing well enough, what’s the issue? Are they unlucky?
I think there have definitely been unlucky games — the losses to the Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy in particular were truly star-crossed games for San Jose — but to an extent, there’s a sense that players have to step up, too.