SAN JOSE — Earthquakes veteran Shea Salinas smiled while watching five young teammates continue training after a recent practice had ended.

“Remember, this was me my first two years,” the winger said as he walked out of the facility.

Tommy Thompson, 20, didn’t hear him. The third-year player was absorbed in sending a swirling cross toward target forward Adam Jahn in the penalty area while Matheus Silva, 19, and rookies Kip Colvey and goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell watched.

Thompson, San Jose’s only homegrown player, is leaving no area of his game to chance as he often is the last one to leave the practice field. Such dedication has kept the promising midfielder in the conversation at a time the Quakes (2-1-1) need all the help they can get.

After making his first start of the season last weekend, Thompson should be in the mix as San Jose embarks on one of its toughest stretches of the season — three games in eight days starting Saturday night at first-place FC Dallas (3-1-1).

The Quakes also play host to the struggling New York Red Bulls on Wednesday and finish the week next Saturday at reigning champion Portland.

Coach Dominic Kinnear hopes to have central midfielder Anibal Godoy return from a bone bruise injury for at least part of the week. Attacking midfielder Simon Dawkins is eligible after missing the weekend game because of a red-card suspension.

Thompson could be needed after playing well in their absences in a 1-1 draw against D.C. United. But it doesn’t necessarily mean the player is ready to become a regular.

“We can’t expect everything from a 20-year-old kid,” Kinnear said. “Sometimes people put unfounded expectations and pressure on him.”

Still, the 5-foot-7 midfielder from Loomis has his coach’s trust after a solid shift that almost included his first Major League Soccer goal.

“The goals will come,” Kinnear added. “He’s too talented not to produce. I just want to make sure he is playing well.”

So does Thompson, who has shown signs of a breakthrough while embracing the Earthquakes’ improved roster that has pushed him down the depth chart.

The changes seem to have to ended Gambian winger Sanna Nyassi’s tenure in San Jose, though Quakes officials have given no reason for his departure.

Thompson, who has been loaned to the United Soccer League affiliate in Sacramento from time to time, isn’t going anywhere. His approach is to watch and learn.

When Quincy Amarikwa arrived in July, Thompson saw how the forward used his strength to control the ball against bigger defenders. Thompson had always relied on speed and finesse, which worked against kids his age but not seasoned pros.

Thompson gained 10 pounds of muscle in what he called an experiment to see if he could emulate Amarikwa’s game.

“It was scary for me because I was thought it would slow me down as a player, but I found out it doesn’t,” Thompson said.

The additional weight has given him confidence to muscle past defenders instead of trying to race around them. Thompson also borrowed tricks from other fellow midfielders to improve attacking, defending and serving.

“I prepared to fill in holes that we need, whether that is outside mid, holding mid or attacking mid,” he said of the midfield positions.

Thompson set about improving his play as soon as last season ended after his 17 appearances. He said turning pro in 2014 after his freshman season at Indiana has elevated his game in a way that staying in college would not.

“A lot of times people want the magic formula for success,” Thompson said, pausing long enough to provide the spoiler: it doesn’t exist. It’s time in the weight room. More time on the field hitting cross after cross until the sideline serves become second nature. Thompson didn’t let a single free moment slip away.

“I just wanted to make sure I was ready for the next time my name is called,” Thompson said.

So far, so good.

Contact Elliott Almond at 408-920-5865. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/elliottalmond.