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One of the images from the latest renderings of the soon to be built soccer fields and training facilities for the San Jose Earthquakes at the Santa Clara Count Farigrounds. (San Jose Earthquakes).

by Marko Ukalovic

San Jose is looking to become a soccer town with its latest land deal with the local MLS soccer team.

During a press conference earlier this morning that featured local dignitaries and members of the San Jose Earthquakes, the City of San Jose announced in a partnership with the Quakes to develop four public, lighted state-of-the-art soccer fields on Santa Clara County’s Fairground property near Umbarger & Monterey Roads.

In total, Santa Clara County plans to lease 30 acres of its undeveloped Fairgrounds land to the Earthquakes. In addition to the public fields, the San Jose Earthquakes plan to lease approximately 14 of the 30 acres for the team’s new practice and training facility as well as four professional quality soccer fields.  

Santa Clara County supervisor Cindy Chavez helped orchestrate the deal between the city and the Quakes. She was one of the many speakers that included San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, San Jose Earthquakes president Jared Shawlee, Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez and homegrown 17-year-old player Edwyn Mendoza.

“The Santa Clara County Fairgrounds belongs to the public. This is a great way for our youth to have access to outstanding soccer fields year-round for generations to come,” said Chavez, who has worked on developing the SCC Fairgrounds property for many years and represents the area. “This is an historic achievement for our community and signifies the start of many more projects that will benefit our residents.”

In total, Santa Clara County plans to lease 30 acres of its undeveloped Fairgrounds property near Umbarger and Monterey Roads to the Earthquakes. In addition to the public soccer fields on 16 acres, the Quakes plan to lease approximately 14 acres for the club’s new practice and training facility, which includes four more professional quality soccer fields. In all, the project entails the construction of eight total fields.

“Thank you to Santa Clara County and the City of San Jose for partnering with the San Jose Earthquakes to build world-class fields for our community and a premier training facility for our club,” said Shawlee. “We believe that this public-private partnership can serve as a model for connecting pro athletes to their communities while also creating greater access to safe playing spaces for children.”

Mayor Mahan believes the community will benefit from having the new soccer fields available for youth soccer.

“We’re excited to begin working with the County and the San Jose Earthquakes to develop a state-of-the-art soccer facility on a portion of the underutilized land at the fairgrounds,” said Mahan. “Once completed, this site will not only serve the pros, but act as a regional destination for youth soccer teams and residents alike.”

The approximately 35,000-square-foot professional training and practice center will house the Earthquakes’ pro teams and all youth teams within the Earthquakes Academy. The club’s training building will consist of locker rooms, a weight room, dining hall, theatre, medical treatment facility, hydrotherapy equipment, laundry rooms, staff office space and more.  

Gonzelez, who has only been in San Jose for only a year with his family, said this project is very personal to him because he grew up playing on community fields and is a great way to produce local talent.

“I have worked all across the country, and as soccer continues to grow in America, I’ve witnessed firsthand how important it is that community fields are connected to their local professional clubs.” said Gonzalez. “This past season, we led the league with 13 homegrown academy graduates, which shows our commitment to local players, but also how much further impact a first-class facility will have on their development to reach their full potential.”

Mendoza, who signed a professional contract with the Earthquakes in May, believes this facility will give more kids the ability to play the game they love.

“I grew up in San Jose, so this facility will be a game-changer, not just for the Earthquakes players, but for kids from my community who get so much joy from playing the sport they love,” said Mendoza. “For them to have the opportunity to play on fields right next to the professionals they look up to will serve as a visual reminder that they can follow their dreams and make them a reality one day.”

In June 2021, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors authorized the County Administration to enter into negotiations with the San José Earthquakes regarding its Letter of Interest to lease acreage at the Fairgrounds, on which it would construct soccer fields and a two- or three-story field building.

Santa Clara County and the San Jose Earthquakes entered into an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) on April 5, 2022, and amended on April 4, 2023, which provided the parties with a period of 18 months to discuss potential plans for a soccer facility at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds.

The County of Santa Clara, the San Jose Earthquakes and the City of San Jose are coming together in a joint agreement to build a practice facility for the Earthquakes, shared public fields and all the necessary infrastructure needed for the facility.

The hope is to have the facility ready to open in 2026 just before the FIFA World Cup hits the United States and locally here at Levi’s Stadium.