Good morning! As SA’s Mike Woitalla writes in his book review of Gary Singh’s “The Unforgettable San Jose Earthquakes: Momentous Stories On & Off the Field,” it’s not a linear 50-year history that San Jose soccer is celebrating this year. Singh reminds us how that makes the Earthquakes especially intriguing. Soccer America and the Quakes go back together to their founding in 1974. Tom Mertens, SA’s original executive editor under founder Clay Berling, left the Berkeley offices to join the San Jose Earthquakes front office for their NASL launch. A goalkeeper at Chico State, a national power in the late 1960s, Mertens even served in goal for San Jose’s first two preseason games while it looked for a keeper.

SUBSCRIBE TO KEEP READING

Start for $0 & enjoy free unlimited access for 30 days.

  • Daily TV listings for U.S. and global soccer.
  • Exclusive interviews with players and coaches.
  • Expert analysis of top soccer headlines.
  • Cancel anytime.

Already have an account? Sign in here.

CHECK OUT MORE STORIES

Not ready to subscribe? Sign up here for our free newsletter.

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Paul Kennedy edited Soccer America for 41 years (1985-2026). He began writing for SA in 1974. He started writing for France Football in 1978 and has served on in Ballon d'Or jury since 2007.