USMNT players laud new Quakes coach for developing young players

SAN JOSE –– Luchi Gonzalez has a proven track record of developing younger talent, which could position him for success as the San Jose Earthquakes’ new coach.

As the academy director at FC Dallas from 2012-2018, Gonzalez worked with a plethora of future stars like midfielder Weston McKennie, now at Juventus, and defender Chris Richards, currently at Crystal Palace.

When asked at MLS media day Tuesday in San Jose about their former assistant coach, United States men’s national team players DeAndre Yedlin and Walker Zimmerman had nothing but praise for Gonzalez.

“He’s really good, especially young players,” Inter Miami’s Yedlin said. “I think San Jose is very fortunate to have him. He’s really a great, great coach and also an unbelievable guy. Hopefully has a lot of success.”

The Quakes should be a great landing spot for someone with Gonzalez’s background, as star player Cade Cowell is 19 and Niko Tsakiris, who seems to be on the same path as Cowell, is just 17. In addition, goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski, midfielder Jackson Yueill and forward Jeremy Ebobisse are all 25.

Gonzalez, who was appointed as San Jose’s coach on Aug. 17, led FC Dallas to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons. But he was dismissed in 2021 after Dallas failed to make the playoffs. Gonzalez compiled a 28-29-25 regular-season record with Dallas. He later joined USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter’s staff ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the U.S. advanced out of the group stage before losing in the round of 16 to Holland.

“He has significant experience with this generation of players, and combined with his background in the game both in the U.S. and abroad, he will be a welcome addition to the team,” Berhalter said of Gonzalez when he brought him onto the national team staff.

Zimmerman, 29, started his career with FC Dallas from 2013-2017, when Gonzalez was leading the club to four straight United States Soccer Developmental Academy national championships, before becoming head coach from 2018-2021.

“He’s an honest guy,” said Zimmerman, who now plays for Nashville SC. “He’s gonna wear his heart on his sleeve for the team. He’s going to be passionate.”

“He’ll do anything that he can for his players,” Zimmerman added. “As a player when you have a coach like that, who you know would do anything for you, that’s part of what makes him a good coach.”

Meanwhile, the Earthquakes held their first practice on Monday and will open up the season on the road against Atlanta United on Feb. 25.

MLS boasts Apple deal

MLS held its preseason media and marketing event at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose on Tuesday to highlight the new decade-long partnership between Apple and MLS. The event, now in its 10th season, has typically been in New York or Los Angeles.

The partnership, which was announced in June 2022, will bring an MLS streaming service to Apple TV. Games will no longer air on local television – like NBC Sports Bay Area for the Earthquakes – but Fox will air some games nationally. About 20 Apple executives were present at the event, Courtemanche said, in addition to MLS stars line Carlos Vela, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Riqui Puig.

“Partnering with Apple will help us increase the overall popularity and profile not just of MLS but of soccer in the US and Canada,” Courtemanche said. “With the (2026 men’s) World Cup on the horizon. We are partnering with arguably the most innovative company in the world. That’s going to help us reach new audiences unlike we’ve ever seen before.”

Levi’s Stadium will be one of the host venues for that World Cup, which Courtemanche said he expects to “serve as rocket fuel to grow the sport and Major League Soccer during the next four years.”