After a woeful start to his first season in charge, Matias Almeyda has seen his San Jose Earthquakes improve dramatically this month – and the charismatic coach known as "Pelado" rewarded his squad with a South American-style asado at Avaya Stadium on Thursday.

A festive occasion usually marked by mass quantities of grilled meats, asado is a treasured tradition in the Argentinean heartland where Almeyda grew up.

And thanks to some photos shared by Tommy Thompson on social media, we know the boss happily took up pitmaster duties in the wake of the Quakes’ pulsating 2-2 road draw vs. the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday night, their third positive result in the past four games.

It’s not the first time an MLS team has bonded over charred slabs of protein; FC Dallas have a proud tradition of stadium barbecues that has continued despite the departure of former coach Oscar Pareja and his staff.

Meanwhile, LAFC’s Diego Rossi last year lamented his struggles to find the asado cuisine of his native Uruguay in Southern California.