SAN JOSE — A team beset by life-altering circumstances this year got another blow during a pregame meal just before the Earthquakes faced Atlanta United FC in a July 4 matchup.

Teammate Matheus Silva was in intensive care in a Reno hospital after nearly drowning in Lake Tahoe that morning, general manager Jesse Fioranelli announced.

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San Jose Earthquakes have no answer in another bad defeat to LAFC “One moment you’re Snapchatting him then the next time you hear about him he’s in a coma,” midfielder Tommy Thompson said.

The Quakes players and executives remained dazed Friday although Silva awoke from the coma and is progressing since being rescued at Zephyr Cove Resort in South Lake Tahoe after a dawn swim.

Silva’s episode added to the list of setbacks to hit the fifth-place Quakes (7-7-5) this season. A year that began with optimism because of a new general manager from Europe has been undermined by heart-wrenching events:

–Stalwart defender Marvell Wynne underwent open heart surgery at Stanford Medical Center after an undisclosed condition was discovered during a routine preseason physical examination.

— Talented center back Harold Cummings was lost for the season when breaking a leg while tripping at his South Bay home.

–The popular Dominic Kinnear was dismissed mid-season although he is one of MLS’ all-time most successful coaches.

–On Tuesday, Silva, 20, escaped a near-drowning when teammates of Reno 1868 FC and nearby paddleboarders pulled him from the frigid waters.

The situations are more than the usual bumps, bruises and torn knee ligaments that occur throughout the season.

“It’s difficult, there’s no way around it,” said Thompson, who scored his first MLS goal in a 4-2 defeat at Atlanta.

Thompson was so caught in the moment he forgot to perform a goal celebration he had planned with Silva when they trained together a few years ago as the team’s youngsters.

The incident hit rookie Lindo Mfeka particularly hard. The easy-going Silva had befriended the South African as United Soccer League teammates in Reno this year. The Reno team is the Earthquakes lower-division affiliate that allows young talent a chance to develop.

Mfeka, 23, would have joined the excursion to the Lake Tahoe had he not traveled to Atlanta with the short-handed Quakes who are missing key players because of injuries and international call-ups.

The friends chatted briefly Thursday after Silva awoke. The Brazilian midfielder told his friend he felt better.

“After a long two days of not talking, not waking up, it just made me sleep better,” Mfeka said of the progress.

Fioranelli flew to Reno on Thursday to provide support for the 6-foot-2 player who signed with the Quakes two years ago out of high school. The general manager learned Silva had awakened 10 minutes after his plane landed.

“It was a huge relief,” Fioranelli said Friday at the Quakes training facility. “It was like a miracle.”

Fioranelli said the player gave hugs to all the visitors who came to see him at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno. The player was able to see some Reno teammates as well as his mother Marcia Silva and her sister.

The Quakes seemed more relaxed at practice as they prepared to play host to a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal game Monday against the Los Angeles Galaxy. At one moment Friday, they let a big laugh, more a safety valve opening after a trying few days.

“We have a little sense of relief,” captain Chris Wondolowski said. “ Just these steps mean a lot.”

Despite the setbacks, San Jose is contending for an MLS Cup playoff spot, hoping to end its four-year postseason absence. The way the players have handled the off-field adversity is a signal they are capable, Fioranelli said.

The Quakes also are getting inspiration from Wynne, who appeared in all but three regular-season games the previous two years.

The defender has been doing conditioning drills on the sideline three months after surgery.

Fioranelli is in awe that Wynne wants to return to the Earthquakes after the life-threatening condition.

“I’m really confident he is going to come back and play,” the general manager said. “When that is I will leave it up to the doctors. But looking at how much he has improved it’s sooner rather than later.”

For Thompson, Wynne’s presence gives him confidence Silva will be back soon as well.

“Matheus is going to do the same thing,” he said.