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 was never in the match against OSA FC from Seattle. Seattle scored within two minutes and added three more before halftime. The score would get to five before Fernando Lares scored a fantastic goal to make the final 5-1. It was Lares’ fourth goal in three matches since the eighteen-year-old joined RSJ.

To say RSJ is struggling this season is an understatement. The team has not won a game since the opening weekend that seems like it was years ago. The team has a bye next week, and there are already hints that changes are already here.

“Something needs to change around here, and it starts at the top and rolls on down. That’s all I can say right now,” said RSJ Manager Nick Arellano.

RSJ has next week off and then plays Oakland before returning home in three weeks.

Real San Jose wasted an excellent start by letting the Sonoma Sol off the hook near halftime as another penalty call goes to the opponent. Gio Troini was called for a handball as a penalty box scramble off a corner kick ended with a shot smacking his outstretched left arm. Just last week in against the Stompers in Hayward, it was Troini getting penalized, only this time, the call was hard to argue. To make matters worse for RSJ’s big defender he went off injured with a bad foot injury sustained on the play.

Fernando Lares opened the scoring in the 3rd minute by curling the ball over the keeper and just under the bar. It was the 18 year-old striker’s third goal in just two games with RSJ. The match was wide open but it was the Sol that created the most dangerous scoring opportunities. Twice Sol players found themselves one-v-one with Jonathan Arellano and were stopped. Just when it looked like RSJ would go into halftime with the lead, Troini luck turned bad. Omar Nuno scored the penalty kick.

The second was saw plenty of end-to-end action. Then in the 75th minute, Sonoma’s Marco Barragan pounced on a softly cleared ball from a corner kick and place a perfect shot into the upper right corner of the San Jose goal. RSJ pushed everything forward but nothing came of it.

RSJ returns to PAL Stadium this Sunday to host Seattle. Kickoff is at 1:00 pm at PAL Stadium.

An 86th-minute penalty kick kept Real San Jose from taking three points out of a Mother’s Day trip to Hayward as East Bay FC Stompers forced a 2-2 draw. This match was just another frustration for RSJ, who are looking to get into the thick of the playoff race.

The first half saw RSJ gradually take control only to miss three golden chances until newly signed Fernando Lares put San Jose on the scoreboard for the first time in four games.

The Stompers came out strong in the second half and scored on a 62nd-minute goalmouth scramble that ended with Victor Parra equalizing.

In the 70th minute, a long punt from RSJ goalkeeper Jonathan Arellano sent Eddie Guerro free only to be fouled just outside the Stomper’s penalty area. Surprisingly the referee only gave the offending last man a yellow card. Those concerns were quickly forgotten when Lares curved the resulting direct kick inside the back post for his second goal of the match.

Once again the Stompers pushed forward until a seemingly harmless header went straight to the arm of RSJ defender Gio Troini and the referee pointed to the spot. Diego Garcia shot true, and the match was even with just four minutes remaining.

“It felt great to get on the scoresheet in the first half and then follow up with another goal in the second half. A bit disappointed we were robbed of a win, but that’s the game of football, and I look forward to the rest of the season,” said Lares, an 18-year-old striker from Gilroy.

Real San Jose returns to PAL Stadium next Saturday to host the Sonoma Sol. Kickoff is at 7:00 pm. Advance tickets are on sale at the Real San Jose online store.