Step back by veteran star helps MLS' Earthquakes move forward

Espinoza's defensive journey began with the arrival of coach and sporting director Bruce Arena in November. The Earthquakes hired Arena to execute wholesale changes, and he was quick to do so.

In January, he added Real Salt Lake's Chicho Arango and CF Montréal's Josef Martinez, two of MLS' best-known strikers, hoping their combined goal-scoring threat would help the Earthquakes play better against their Western Conference opponents.

To get Arango and Martinez on the field — and to provide a more fluid tactical shape throughout the game — Arena knew Espinoza must vacate his traditional spot on the right wing. But instead of pushing Espinoza to the center of midfield, Arena asked him to retreat into defense as a wingback.

Fluidity from defense to offense is nothing new. Coach Pep Guardiola is on a one-man mission to push Europe’s finest wingbacks forward since his Bayern Munich days. (Defenders Philipp Lahm, David Alaba, Josko Gvardiol and Rico Lewis became legitimate scoring threats under his care.)

Fluidity in the opposite direction, though — from offense to defense —remains exceedingly rare. There's a strong stigma against it, one formed by the assumption that attackers are heroes and defenders are workers. But Arena — and Espinoza — know the truth. 

Attackers are marketable, but defenders are vital. Attackers win games, but defenders win tournaments and in the postseason.

In his new role as a wingback, Espinoza looks better than ever. His move deeper into Arena's lineup has leveled up his defensive skills while still giving him space to deliver as a traditional winger. 

The season is still young, but on a per-90-minute basis, Espinoza is competing with some of MLS's best in defensive and offensive positions. He's on track to double the assists winger Carlos Vela put up in his MVP season in 2021; he's also winning more tackles than defender Richie Laryea did in his breakout season in 2019. 

By stepping back, Espinoza has charged forward — and the third-place Earthquakes have charged forward, too. The team has six points from three games in the 2025 season, and it's carrying a goal differential of +5. At this stage in 2024, the team was winless, pointless and carrying a goal differential of -5.

"“I really love the Earthquakes. This is where I find happiness on the field," Espinoza said (per MLS.com) in 2023 after he signed a two-year contract extension with the team. "I’m really excited to help the club make the next steps forward."

By stepping backward in Arena's tactical shape, Espinoza has done exactly that.

The San Jose Earthquakes will return to MLS action Saturday against the Colorado Rapids.