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 earned a valuable three points in the UPSL Northwest Playoff race on March 20 as they defeated Boise FC in dramatic style scoring the winning goal in the 89th minute. RSJ has won four of their last five league matches.

Alberto Escamilla put RSJ in the lead from 6-yards out in the 31st minute when he knocked in a well placed corner kick from Angel Heredia. Then a minute into the second half Boise FC tied the match in a rather confusing play. A pass was played forward to a Boise striker and the AR raised his flag for offside. The referee allowed play to continue and the goal was scored much to the disagreement of the RSJ faithful.

RSJ would respond much later. Again Heredia was in the middle of the action. This time the star midfielder played a nice combination with a teammate near the edge of the Boise penalty area. He fired a shot on goal that the goalkeeper could only parry and Brandon Hernandez bolted in to smash the ball into the goal.

Boise pushed forward in extra time and the RSJ defense responded to earn the three points.

Notes:

Alberto Escamilla: Coming into the game after a previous loss against Magic valley, the team knew the importance of the game and the significance of scoring the first goal to set the tone for the rest of the game. Along with the team I was consistent and patient, when the opportunity came I made sure I capitalized.

Brandon Hernandez: We were in our attacking third getting great shots and the goalie kept spitting the balls out so I just kept following all my teammates shots and scored when the time was right. It was a great team win.

Real San Jose’s three game wining streak came to end in Filer, Idaho, on May 13 and now RSJ has a string of home games starting this weekend vs Boise FC.

In Filer, RSJ jumped out to an early lead, fell behind, then tied the match all before halftime. Both defenses covered from the 2-2 halftime score until the referee made a controversial call in awarding Magic Valley FC a penalty kick with just seven minutes to go. The pk was converted and a fourth goal came as RSJ threw everyone forward in a last ditch effort to salvage a point. RSJ coach Markus Kothner made no excuses after the match by simply stating that his players did not play to their best on the day.

The loss hurts but RSJ is still in the middle of the playoff race. There are eight games remaining and six of those are at PAL Stadium. The next is this Saturday against Boise FC. Kickoff is at 7:00pm at PAL Stadium.

Real San Jose is on a win streak. RSJ defeated Western Nevada FC 2-0 as Angel Heredia and Lorenzo Vasquez each scored in front of a solid defensive unit that held the visitors scoreless. The win is the third in a row and puts RSJ with a solid place in the race of a UPSL playoff spot.

RSJ started the match in fine fashion creating a number good scoring chances that narrowly missed the mark. It took 25 minutes to sneak through the organized WNFC defense. Jay Caines went on a run down the right sideline and was desperately brought down resulting in a caution for the defender and a free-kick for RSJ. Heredia spun the ball between the defenders and goalkeeper and into the net despite a last gasp touch from a WNFC player.

The match became more even in the second half as the teams shared possession and chances to score. Early in the second RSJ goalkeeper Jonathan Arellano was forced to make one diving save stopping a goal-bound blast. The back four of Victor Orosco, Kyle Belcher, Tommie Hession-Harris, and Andres Martinez worked well to earn the first shutout of the 2017 season.

The match seemed on edge until the 82nd minute when Vasquez sealed the deal for RSJ with his 8th goal in three games.

Notes:
1: Angel Heredia, about the goal: We received a free kick right side of the box but not too far out. I recognized their defensive shape on the free kick and noticed a big gap between the goalie and their holding line. I just tried to attack the ball in that area towards goal, and with a little luck came a deflection off the wall and the ball went in.

2: Lorenzo Vasquez came one goal short of tying one RSJ scoring record and two goals short of tying a second and setting third. With one more goal, Vasquez would have tied Johnny Gonzalez’s three-game scoring record of nine goals. Wth two more goals, Vasquez would have tied Gonzalez’s three straight hat trick record and broke his three-game scoring record. Gonzalez set these records in the first three matches of the 2010 season. But Vasquez is not without an RSJ scoring record, as he holds the single game scoring record with four.