Landon Donovan Exposes Shocking Truth: How San Jose Earthquakes Accidentally Lost Their Star Player
Former U.S. men's national team icon Landon Donovan disclosed that the San Jose Earthquakes lost their standout player, Cristian Espinoza, to Nashville SC due to a front office member who "overlooked" activating the clause in the player's deal.
Espinoza tallied 36 goals and 70 assists across 218 MLS regular-season matches during seven campaigns with the Earthquakes, but became available as a free agent despite leading MLS in key passes during the previous season.
The 30-year-old's deal extended through 2025 with a clause for 2026, but Espinoza eventually departed San Jose to join Nashville. However, there was more behind the surprising transfer than initially believed.
"The situation with San Jose is incredible. I must emphasize: this wasn't [Earthquakes manager] Bruce Arena's doing, but someone handling the technical operations previously literally overlooked that they needed to activate [Espinoza's] clause, or at minimum activate the clause to activate the clause, so suddenly he became available," Donovan explained on the Unfiltered Podcast alongside fellow former USMNT legend Tim Howard.
"I understand they worked diligently to retain him and offer a new contract, but ultimately, he decided, 'Well, I suppose you didn't value me, so I'm heading to Nashville.'"
Missing the initial wave of free agent acquisitions, Espinoza secured a contract with Nashville extending through 2028, including clauses through June 2029 and the 2029-2030 campaigns, departing the Earthquakes without their foundational player of the past seven years.
Nashville, San Jose Both Benefit
Nashville, San Jose Both Benefit
Although no additional sources have verified Donovan's account, both clubs emerge as substantial winners from this transaction.
For San Jose, Espinoza's exit may have created space for a major acquisition, as they appear poised to sign former Chelsea striker Timo Werner from RB Leipzig, securing a rare high-profile addition for the California franchise. Werner, who earned 57 appearances with the German men's national squad, has logged only 14 minutes this season amid a difficult situation at Leipzig.
Landon says someone in the San Jose front office forgot to "trigger the option to trigger the option" in Cristian Espinoza's contract, leading him to sign with Nashville. pic.twitter.com/DM7ZMRdVh3
Meanwhile, Nashville have acquired a new creative force on the flanks, who will create additional chances for the dangerous partnership of Sam Surridge, who concluded 2025 as MLS's third-leading scorer with 24 goals, and Hany Mukhtar, who contributed 16 goals and 12 assists over 34 regular-season outings.
Both clubs begin the regular season on Feb. 21 and will face each other in an inter-conference regular-season encounter on Oct. 17.