SAN JOSE, Calif. - Eduardo Missael Espinoza Padilla is a name that many Quakes fans, especially the younger generation, may not be familiar with.
But they probably should.
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Missael Espinoza, as he was known, was the first of a handful of Mexican players to suit up for San Jose in its history. A midfielder that played nearly his entire career in Mexico with the likes of Monterrey, Guadalajara, León, Necaxa and Querétaro, he spent one year away from his home country, joining San Jose on loan during Major League Soccer’s inaugural season in 1996.
“Technically, he was just phenomenal,” Earthquakes general manager John Doyle said. “Biggest thing about him is he had an amazing work rate and a will to win. He had great fitness, a great attitude and he was a fan favorite for sure. The players loved him so it was sad to see him go after that one year.”
Even though Espinoza played alongside the likes of Doyle, Eric Wynalda, Paul Holocher, Troy Dayak, Jeff Baicher, Ramiro Corrales, and Paul Bravo, he still managed to stand out despite the talented squad around him. He scored 10 goals and added five assists, and was one of just seven players league-wide to reach both of those marks that season.
“I have memories of the playoffs that year when we were in LA,” Doyle said. “We had won the first game 1-0 at home and back then in MLS, if LA won the second game you had to play a third game to decide the round. At halftime he was motivating all of us to finish the game out. That moment was just an example of his competitiveness and his will to win.”
He was given the club’s Honda Most Valuable Player Award before heading back to Mexico to play out the final seven years of his career. Espinoza was also a staple on the Mexican National Team, earning 41 total caps from 1990-95 and scoring four goals.
“At Spartan Stadium, there was a big Latin crowd that would come to see him play,” Doyle said. “We had great crowds that year but he even lifted it from there. The fans were drawn to him because he was just a magician on the ball and so fun to watch.”
