The San Jose Earthquakes signed Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena to a new contract through the 2028-29 Major League Soccer season, the club announced Monday.
The extension keeps Arena in charge of San Jose's sporting operation and first team during the club's sharpest MLS rise in years. ESPN/AP also reported the deal, with San Jose entering the league's World Cup break at 10-3-2 and tied on points for first place in the Western Conference.
San Jose Rewards Arena After Fast MLS Start
Arena is in his second year with the Earthquakes, and the club framed the contract around a turnaround that has moved quickly. San Jose said it became the first MLS team in the post-shootout era to win nine of its first 10 games.
The Earthquakes entered the break after 15 matches with their best start since 2012, when the club won the Supporters' Shield. The team is also third in the overall Supporters' Shield table behind Nashville SC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC and ahead of Inter Miami CF, according to San Jose's announcement.
The club pointed to two more MLS record-equalling starts: a 5-0-1 opening run away from home and six consecutive shutouts to begin the campaign. One more win in 2026 would match San Jose's regular-season win total from last season.
Contract Keeps Arena In Dual Leadership Role
The official transaction lists Arena as both sporting director and head coach, which matters for a club trying to turn a hot start into something more durable. The contract runs through the 2028-29 MLS season, giving San Jose one decision-maker over roster construction and the bench.
Managing partner John Fisher said in the club announcement that Arena had rebuilt the team and positioned it among MLS's top sides this season. Arena said he was looking forward to the second half of the season as San Jose competes for a playoff place.
The Earthquakes also credited Arena and his staff with developing a roster that includes 20 domestic players and 19 former college players. The club cited homegrown midfielder Niko Tsakiris, forward Preston Judd, Reid Roberts and Daniel Munie as examples of players growing inside the current setup.
Arena Resume Gives The Extension Weight
Arena's MLS record remains one of the reasons the extension is bigger than a routine midseason contract note. The Earthquakes said he has won five MLS Cups, four Supporters' Shields, one Concacaf Champions Cup, a Copa Interamericana and a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
He also owns MLS records with 283 regular-season wins and 35 postseason wins, and he has been named MLS Coach of the Year four times. At international level, Arena led the U.S. men's national team to two World Cups, including the 2002 quarterfinals, and won three Concacaf Gold Cups.
San Jose is paused for the World Cup break before returning publicly July 3 for a friendly against Liga MX side Club Tijuana at PayPal Park. By then, the club will have its long-term coaching and sporting structure set, which is the practical point of Monday's announcement.