Hi guys. This is meant for you, the players. Not management. Not the coaches. Not Q. Just you guys, the team on the field.

Let’s talk.

We know. This isn’t what you wanted. This isn’t what you planned for at the start of the season. For some of you we know that you didn’t move yourself and your families to a new country for this. Chances are that none of you have been on a team that has performed this poorly at any level. Here’s what we want you to know.

We are still here for you.

However there is one condition that must be met. You must care as much as we do.

As a fan-base, San Jose has been slapped around for more than 10 years. Sometimes by the league itself, sometimes by indifferent ownership, sometimes by inept or absent management, but essentially NEVER by the players. We have endured season after season without trophies, playoff berths, etc. In those times we still stick by you, as long as you show us that you care.

A lot of you have come out publicly and you are telling us that you care, and that you are working to fix things. We appreciate that, but at some point that needs to translate into results on the field. Otherwise it becomes hard to believe that we are witnessing anything other than damage control.

In your ranks you have one of the true legends of MLS in Chris Wondolowski. He is our Ultra on the Field, our leader. Follow that man. He can show you everything you need to know about what it means to play for this club. Chris can tell you what it means to care. Chris can tell you how it feels to have the full support of this amazing, resilient group of fans.

Some of the newer guys may not know who we are. Let me tell you. We are tough, we are loyal, and we are demanding of commitment. That’s the bottom line. We don’t demand a treble each season. We don’t storm the training ground demanding results. We demand that you give your all for the Quakes, and in return, we support you in the good times and the bad times.

Right now feels worse than ever. I am writing this because I feel like I see some of you feeling the defeats. Use that. That is the fire that can be ignited to turn things around for good. 11 of you take the field each match and it’s time for you to realize that you’ll always have the fans right there with you. When there was only 1 set of footprints in the sand, it’s because 18,000 of us were trying to carry you. (That is possibly the dumbest thing I have ever written, but it shows that we can still have a sense of humor.)

As you face the next match I want you to think back to the day you joined the club. Your name was printed on the shirt and (most of) you stood front of our hilariously, stupidly large bar with your name plastered across the screen. I am willing to bet that was a big day for you, personally and professionally. Whoever you are, I can tell you that it was a big day for us, the fans. Your signing gave us hope for progression and growth as a club. I mean that, no matter what member of the squad is reading this. We stand with you.

I want you all to channel that feeling into your play. I want you to remember that feeling every time you step on to the pitch at Avaya.

Never say die.