SAN JOSE — Earthquakes midfielder Marc Pelosi faces a potentially long recovery before his 2016 season can start because of struggles with severe tendinitis in the knee.

Coach Dominic Kinnear said Wednesday that the Sunnyvale player might need surgery to relieve the problem, and offered no timetable for his return.

“It has just been bugging him,” Kinnear said. “It has bothered him the whole offseason.”

Pelosi, who joined the team last summer from Liverpool FC, almost certainly will miss the United States’ Olympic playoff series next month against Colombia. But he should recover in time for the Rio Games if the Americans were to advance.

Pelosi, 21, tried to sound upbeat when telling a reporter he would be out for a while. But he wore disappointment on his face. The player with a promising future has dealt with frustrating setbacks before.

In 2012, Pelosi missed a couple months because of a knee injury while with Liverpool’s youth team. Then he broke a leg the year after that. But Pelosi enjoyed a promising rookie season in Major League Soccer last year and is considered a big part of the Earthquakes’ future. He also factors into the U.S. national team’s plans.

Despite the setback, the Earthquakes are relatively healthy 2 ½ weeks before the season opener March 6 against the Colorado Rapids.

Kinnear expects midfielder Fatai Alashe to return from injury within the month while veteran fullback Jordan Stewart continues rehabilitation from a torn achilles.

Designated player Innocent is recovering from a small groin muscle strain while winger Cordell Cato is nursing a quadriceps muscle strain. Kinnear said both players should return soon.

“One of the good things of preseason so far we haven’t had anything major,” Kinnear said of injuries. “If we have a healthy team then we’re deep. If we’re not healthy then the talent pool is a little more shallow. The choices are almost made up for me.”

Midfielder Simon Dawkins led the Quakes to a 3-1 victory over Sonoma County Sol of the National Premier Soccer League in a scrimmage on a blustery day at the Avaya Stadium training facility. Dawkins earned two assists off of goals by Chad Barrett in the 10th minute and Quincy Amarikwa in the 21st minute. Sonoma State forward Brenton Frame scored on a penalty kick after a handball inside the 18-yard box before Adam Jahn finished the scoring in the 60th minute off a cross from Matias Perez Garcia. Kinnear shuffled the lineup in the three, 30-minute sessions.

The coach likes where the Quakes are at in terms of health and fitness, but he’s not close to being satisfied. “Because I’d like to see us score more goals,” Kinnear said. San Jose has been outscored 4-0 against three MLS opponents as it prepares to play Saturday at club affiliate Sacramento Republic FC. “The previous four games we were getting chances, but not scoring,” Kinnear said. “It is something I want to focus on. Sometimes it comes easy, sometimes it comes hard.” The Quakes’ only goal during the stretch came from target forward Mark Sherrod in a 1-0 victory over South Korean side Seongnam FC.

Kinnear cited rookie fullback Kip Colvey, Tommy Thompson and Brazilian defender Matheus Silva, 19, when asked about preseason surprises. The coach also said newcomer Andres Imperiale has adjusted quickly because of the Argentine’s command of English. “It’s such a plus,” Kinnear said. “So, he is feeling comfortable and confident.” But despite a commanding performance Wednesday, Dawkins is “still finding his way.” “These next 2 ½ weeks are important for him,” Kinnear added.