Cristian Espinoza has posted an emotional farewell to the San Jose Earthquakes fanbase, signaling the end of a six-year chapter in Black and Blue as he heads into free agency.
“Dear Quakes family… the time has come to say goodbye after six incredible years,” Espinoza wrote in a message shared through the club, reflecting on the uncertainty of arriving in San Jose and the personal challenges that came with it — including adapting to a new culture and learning a new language while his wife was pregnant.
Over time, Espinoza said, San Jose became a true second home. He noted that his children were born in the Bay Area and added that his family will always feel connected to the city and the club.
Espinoza also made sure to shout out the people who shaped his time in San Jose — thanking teammates, club staff, and fans for the consistent support, while also acknowledging owner John Fisher for bringing him into the organization.
On the soccer side, the Earthquakes’ roster update confirms Espinoza is out of contract following the 2025 season and is eligible for free agency, with the club noting that conversations can still continue with select players about a potential return.
Espinoza originally joined San Jose ahead of the 2019 season and leaves behind one of the most productive stretches in his Quakes career: 36 goals and 70 assists in 218 regular-season matches, plus two MLS All-Star selections (2023 and 2025).
His departure comes during a busy offseason for San Jose. The MLS roster update also noted the Quakes narrowly missed the playoffs in Bruce Arena’s first season in charge, finishing 10th in the Western Conference (41 points).
For now, Espinoza’s message reads like a full-circle goodbye — but he left the door open with a familiar soccer promise: maybe the paths cross again.
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