Matías Almeyda has always been a fighter. As a combative, man-marking holding midfielder, he stepped into every tackle expecting to win it. He hasn’t changed much as manager.



The 45-year-old San Jose Earthquakes head coach recently spoke about his personality, suggesting that in Major League Soccer, it may have become a problem.



“Maybe I don’t fit in within certain structures,” Almeyda told reporters after San Jose’s controversial 3-1 loss to Atlanta United on September 21st. “This has happened to me in several leagues. Maybe I’m a bother because of the way I am.”



Almeyda is excitable and demonstrative on the touchline, but when he’s in front of a microphone, his demeanor is controlled. His tone, philosophical. Both in victory and in defeat, he talks about football as a metaphor for life. Unity, passion and human connections are integral to the way he teaches the...