San Jose Earthquakes’ All-Star Espinoza signs contract extension

Cristian Espinoza, fresh off his first MLS All-Star game appearance, now has a new contract with the San Jose Earthquakes.

Espinoza and the Quakes signed a contract that keeps the Argentine soccer player as the team’s Designated Player until the end of the 2025 MLS season. There’s also an option for 2026, the Quakes announced Monday.

No financial terms of the contract were available.

The 28-year-old winger has enjoyed a stellar season for San Jose, scoring 11 goals with seven assists in 23 games. Those numbers led to Espinoza’s call up to the MLS All-Star team, which was beaten by Arsenal FC in last Wednesday’s exhibition.

“Cristian has been very productive each season with us and is considered one of the best players in the league, which was evidenced by his being called to this year’s MLS All-Star Game,” said San Jose general manager Chris Leitch. “He has a superlative ability to create chances for his teammates and his goal production has increased each season.

“Cristian is also an incredible leader for this team, both on the pitch and in our community. We are excited for Cristian to continue his career in San Jose.”

Espinoza has made himself at home since arriving in San Jose in 2019 from LaLiga’s Villarreal, scoring 26 goals and a team-record 51 assists in 142 regular-season appearances (136 starts). He was the MLS’ Player of the Month for April.

“I really love the Earthquakes. This is where I find happiness on the field and I’m really excited to help the club make the next steps forward,” said Espinoza. “My family is really comfortable here, my kids were born here, I really feel like San Jose is a part of me and I’m really happy here. I feel at home.”

Under new head coach Luchi Gonzalez, the resurgent Quakes sit sixth in the Western Conference standings (8W-7L-8D, 32 points) with a solid shot at making the playoffs for the first time since 2020.