The name goes back to a 1974 North American Soccer League team. The present club began in 1996 as the San Jose Clash, one of MLS’s charter members, and played in the league’s very first game, beating D.C. United 1-0. As the Earthquakes it won the MLS Cup in 2001 and 2003 and the Supporters’ Shield in 2005 and 2012.
After the 2005 season the team’s operation moved to Houston, and San Jose went two years without MLS soccer before the Earthquakes returned in 2008. Since 2015 they have played at their own 18,000-seat stadium, now PayPal Park. Their rivalry with the LA Galaxy is known as the California Clásico.