The 2026 season has come to an end, and there is no way to describe it other than disappointing.

After twenty seasons, Real San Jose experienced the most difficult year in club history. The results on the field fell well below the standards we have set for ourselves, and as a club we must honestly acknowledge that.

Professional standards require commitment, preparation, accountability, and consistency. This season showed us that we fell short in those areas.

The responsibility for rebuilding begins now.

Over the coming months, the club will evaluate every aspect of its operation as we prepare for the 2027 NPSL season. Our goal is not simply to improve our record, but to rebuild a culture that reflects the values Real San Jose was founded on nearly twenty years ago.

As part of that process, the club will not participate in the 2027 U.S. Open Cup qualifying competition. We believe our resources are better invested in strengthening our roster, improving our organization, and building a team capable of competing at the level our supporters expect.

Open tryouts for the 2027 season will be announced in early 2027. Every roster position will be earned.

To our supporters, sponsors, volunteers, players, and everyone who has stood behind Real San Jose over the past twenty seasons, thank you. Difficult seasons do not define a club. How a club responds to them does.

The work begins today.

Real San Jose came back from a goal down twice to earn a draw with defending Wild West Division Champions Contra Costa FC on October 5th. Justin Fathali headed in from close range during a stoppage-time goalmouth scramble off a corner kick. The first was played to a 0-0 stalemate then came a trio of goals to start the second half. CCFC quickly broke from a failed RSJ corner kick to grab the lead in the 51st minute. Then just a minute later Diego Madrigal pulled RSJ even. Shortly after a defensive miscue in the RSJ defense led to CCFC going in front again in the 55th minute. Then came RSJ's dramatic stoppage-time goal to end what was an intense and exciting match.

Real San Jose overcame a horrendous start to earn home draw versus JASA. JASA scored a tap in from about 2 yards out following an attack down the RSJ left flank. Somehow and quite inexplicably the entire RSJ defense left the goal unattended as the ball slipped through them. The frustrating start could be traced to the fact that Daniel Corral was out of the lineup and his replacement was caught for out of position on the goal. RSJ recovered from that defensive blunder to get even in the 24th minute by also scoring into an unprotected net. Eddie Guerrero ran onto a ball that skipped through the JASA penalty area and coolly brought the score even. RSJ, for the first time this season kept the majority of the play in the opponents half for a long stretch going into halftime. Somehow all that change in the second half when the game evened out and eventually ended in a draw.

Real San Jose traveled to San Leandro and returned home with a second loss in two UPSL fall season matches. This time the score was San Leandro United 2 and RSJ 0. RSJ simply did not travel well to this game. Unexpectedly missing from the game were Jonathan Garcia and Eddie Guerrero and that forced unexpected lineup changes. Sergio Piñon made his Real San Jose debut in goal. Unfortunately, the changes caused confusion in the midfield and RSJ found itself under pressure most of the first half. Still, the score was 0 – 0 going into halftime. Once again, just as in the season opener, RSJ came up short in the second half despite creating some scoring chances. The game remained close up until the final five minutes when San Leandro took advantage of the defensive miscue to put the game out of reach.