The Quakes signed MLS All-Star Cristian Espinoza to a new contract and acquired forward Ayo Akinola from FC Toronto in recent days, but don’t expect any major help coming for their playoff push.
General manager Chris Leitch said Wednesday that it would be hard to add another signing under the salary cap before the secondary transfer window ends on Aug. 2.
“It’s a salary cap league and there are constraints for sure,” Leitch said. “It sounds easy to have a lot of players go out and a lot of players come in, but it’s not always that easy. Plus we like our group and we think it can be really competitive here.”
The secondary transfer window is the last time that MLS teams can trade with each other or sign someone from abroad and have those players be eligible for competition this season.
San Jose hasn’t won a playoff game since 2012 or appeared in the postseason since 2020, but being in playoff position this year hasn’t spurred any major moves yet this summer. Akinola, who made 39 starts and played 78 games in six seasons in Toronto, is the only player they’ve brought in.
The Quakes are hoping a change in environment will jumpstart Akinola, who hasn’t registered a goal or an assist in 14 games (four starts) this season. But the 23-year-old Canadian is not likely to be a regular starter for the Quakes unless there are departures from the current group of forwards.
“I’ve been traded in my career and sometimes a player needs a little change of scenery to really kick in again,” Leitch said. “I think Ayo has shown great promise in his time in MLS to date. He has the quality to add to the competitive depth of our front line.”
That means, pending additional moves in the next week, the Quakes (8-7-8, 32 points) will stick with the group that has put them in sixth place in the Western Conference leading up to a month-long break for the ongoing Leagues Cup.
The top seven teams make the first round of the playoffs automatically, while the eighth- and ninth-place teams face off in a play-in game. Minnesota is currently in 10th place with 28 points but has played one fewer game than San Jose.
“We’re constantly looking at ways to improve the roster,” Leitch said. “That being said, we’re also confident with our group of players. This group has already shown they can get results against some of the best teams in the league.”
They did lock up Espinoza, a 28-year-old Argentinian who just appeared in his first MLS All-Star Game and holds the club record for career assists (51) despite arriving just four years ago from Spain. The winger is now signed through 2025 with a club option for 2026.
“From my perspective, it’s bigger than most any moves I’ve seen around MLS, making sure that Cristian is re-signed,” Leitch said. “It speaks to the direction he feels this club is heading.”
The Quakes are currently in the midst of Leagues Cup competition, which incorporates the top club teams in North America in three-team pools. San Jose lost to Portland 2-0 and faces Mexican club Tigres Sunday at 8 p.m. at PayPal Park. Tigres beat the Timbers 2-1 on Wednesday, so the Quakes need at least a two-goal victory to advance on goal differential out of the pool and into the 32-team tournament bracket.
If the Quakes are eliminated in pool play on Sunday, then they won’t play again until the MLS season restarts on Aug. 20. From there, San Jose will have 11 games to earn a chance to host a playoff game for the first time since moving to PayPal Park in 2015.
The Quakes have an opportunity to gather momentum after the break: Their first four games are against teams below them in the Western Conference standings.
