PHOTO: ISI Photos

Shortly following his arrival from the Bundesliga in 2017, Florian Jungwirth became the San Jose Earthquakes’ knight.

Literally, the adaptable German midfielder was the fulcrum of the Quakes’ defense, especially when he made a semi-permanent transition to center back under the tutelage of Dominic Kinnear. Figuratively, he was defending Avaya Castle like the true warrior he has always been.

By 2018, however, the Castle’s walls crumbled after being battered time and time again. Jungwirth, who, as one of the team’s most influential players, served as a safeguard for the team and for the contingent of loyal fans, eventually lost his armor and weapons.

“For myself, — that was what makes me angry about myself because I think that one of my biggest strengths is my fighting spirit — after a while, I had a feeling I lost something,” Jungwirth confessed to Quakes Epicenter in an exclusive interview. “Nobody had been in a situation like that: where so many things went wrong. I think it was something new for me as well.”

When asked to describe the 2018 campaign, Jungwirth responded, “It felt like getting a punch from a boxer every week that sent you to the floor. After a while, it was hard to think what was right, and the floor felt pretty comfortable.”

Just months ago, the German was under fire for his candid comments on his team’s state, which he claimed were mentioned to “deflect” pressure from his teammates and then-coach Mikael Stahre at the time. He remained quiet for the remainder of the season, refusing to speak with members of the press. On the field, in similar fashion to many of his teammates, his time on the field became irregular. It was an evident collective disaster and a personal struggle.

‘Flo’ is eager for change.

Back in San Jose from a trip to the Caribbean’s, with his third-year option exercised, Jungwirth is as motivated and committed as ever. Similar to last year, he will report to his former club, Darmstadt, when he returns to Germany in the coming weeks for a training stint. However, his plan is to spend the majority of the lengthy offseason in the Bay Area, where he follows the training regiment assigned by new head strength and conditioning coach, Guido Bonini.

Praiseworthy of Matias Almeyda’s résumé — specifically his time at Chivas — Jungwirth is persuaded that the arrival of Argentine will change the course of the franchise for good.

“We met just one time: on the last day before vacation,” Jungwirth said. “That meeting was very great, even though it was only an hour. He had so much energy. He infected everybody with it. I’m very excited. I can start working with him tomorrow.”

The former German youth national team member said he doesn’t expect there to be a team-wide language barrier nor does he feel pre-Almeyda players will be at a disadvantage when it comes to becoming favorites in ‘El Pelado’s’ system. To him, if anything, it’s an opportunity for him to develop as a professional. The opportunity to ameliorate San Jose’s soccer is also present, but not without collective effort and the eradication of individualistic behaviors, which he believes was the tool that was used far too often in attempts to overturn last year’s crisis.

“I’m so convinced that he will make us better,” Jungwirth said when asked if Almeyda is the solution to the Quakes’ crisis. “I’m also convinced that he can develop myself. It would be too easy, however, just to put all the weight and pressure on Matias. In the end, it’s the players on the field. In the end, we have to understand the philosophy and execute it in a good way.”

“If we reach the playoffs next year and you miss 10 games, I think everybody would pay the price instead of playing every game and not reaching playoffs,” he added. “If we create this type of philosophy in the team next year, which we will, then we are on a good path. Matias will lead us to this path.”

There’s an idea, but really little is known of how exactly the Quakes will look in 2019; yet despite the uncertainty, Jungwirth is willing to wager that the Black-and-Blue will again play a minimum of 35 games next season. For that to happen though, something special will have to be formed off the field.

“I’m sure we will fight every game like lions next year,” the midfielder said. “I really hope that the fans will still support us, will still come to the stadium because — I’m not just saying blah, blah — it’s important that the fans are with us. It must be our goal to build a little Avaya Castle like we did the season before it. You reach the playoffs when you win your home games. I’m so convinced that we could make it.”

Luckily, things are off to a good start as it sounds like ‘Flo’ has once again found his knightly sword and his medieval shield…

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