The current San Jose Earthquakes is an entity distinct of this club, and hosted the first ever MLS game on April 6, 1996, against D.C. United.
In 2005, the then owner of the Earthquakes, Anschutz Entertainment Group, announced plans of the team relocating to Houston due to failing efforts to secure a soccer-specific stadium in San Jose.
Long time backup David Bingham became the team's starting goalkeeper in 2015 and has since earned his first international caps for the United States as well as his first MLS All-Star appearance in 2016.
However, this limit can be exceeded by trading international slots with another MLS team, or if one or more of the overseas players is a refugee or has permanent residency rights in the USA.
[237] As of November 30, 2017[update], ninety-nine players from outside the United States have played in MLS for the San Jose Earthquakes.