The Philadelphia Union have parted ways with head coach Jim Curtin, the club announced on Thursday. 

Curtin was the second-longest serving coach in the MLS, only behind Sporting Kansas City's Peter Vermes, but his 10-year stint at Subaru Park has finally come to an end. 

During the 45-year-old's tenure, the Union won the 2020 Supporters' Shield and made the 2022 MLS Cup final. 

But Philadelphia struggled this season, finishing 12th in the Eastern Conference standings and therefore missing the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017.

Curtin oversaw 394 matches in all competitions, winning 170 (D90 L134), ending with a win percentage of 41.9%. 

"We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Jim for his passion and dedication to this club over the last 10 seasons," sporting director Ernst Tanner said in a statement.

"He greatly contributed to the success the club has achieved in recent years and for that, we are extremely grateful.

"We thank Jim for the significant impact he made both on the field and in the community. Following the 2024 season, we recognise the need for change.

"We'll continue to evaluate our sporting strategy and make the necessary changes this offseason to best set the team up for success."

In the Western Conference, the San Jose Earthquakes named Bruce Arena as their new head coach and sporting director after a poor 2024 season. 

They conceded an MLS-record 78 goals and finished bottom of the overall league standings, parting ways with Luchi Gonzalez before being led by interim coach Ian Russell.

Arena takes charge of his fifth club in the MLS and his first since resigning from his position with the New England Revolution in 2023. 

The 73-year-old is the most accomplished coach in MLS history, leading the league in regular-season wins (262) and Audi MLS Cup Playoffs victories (35).

Additionally, Arena led the United States at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and won three CONCACAF Gold Cup titles.

"I am extremely excited for the opportunity to come to San Jose," said Arena.

"I coached my first ever professional game at Spartan Stadium in 1996 – the first game in MLS history – and my first international game with the U.S. in 1998 was in San Jose.

"The Earthquakes and Northern California have a proud soccer tradition.

"There’s a lot of potential with the club, and I am looking forward to working with everyone here to unlock that potential and get back to winning ways."

Steve Cherundolo wants Los Angeles FC to focus on their own game as they look to secure top spot against the San Jose Earthquakes.

LAFC can finish top of the Western Conference if they win by a two-goal margin and LA Galaxy lose to Houston Dynamo on Saturday.

Cherundolo's side kept themselves in contention going into the final day by snatching a late 2-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps, extending their winning streak to four games.

And though the head coach would like to finish top of the pile, he acknowledged that it was largely out of LAFC's hands.

"We don't spend a lot of time discussing scenarios," he said. "I think for us the important thing is to enjoy the weekend, and obviously, that is trying to win the game with a two-goal advantage.

"What happens elsewhere we'll obviously be monitoring, but not closely. We're better off focusing on ourselves.

"We've won a couple of games in a row now and to finish the season on a high with a win is important. We're focused on what we know we do well and that's great preparation."

No matter the result, San Jose will finish bottom of the table, with the worst result of any team in MLS.

Interim head coach Ian Russell is looking to salvage some pride in their final outing and is hoping to use their win over LAFC earlier this season as motivation.

"It's a tough test - LAFC are a good team," he said.

"We typically match up well against them, but we need to go down there, play good football, defend well, limit their chances and try to hurt them."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LAFC – Mateusz Bogusz

Mateusz Bogusz scored his 15th goal of the season in LAFC's win over Vancouver on Sunday.

Bogusz is the fifth different LAFC player to score 15 goals in a season while no other team has more than three different players with a 15-goal season since the club joined MLS in 2018.

San Jose Earthquakes – Daniel

San Jose have conceded 75 goals this season, tied with FC Cincinnati in 2019 for the most in a single season in MLS history.

Cincinnati had allowed 75 goals after 33 matches that season but kept a clean sheet against D.C. United in their final match and Daniel will be hoping to do the same, so the visitors can go out on a high.

MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC WIN

LAFC have won nine of their 11 all-time home matches against San Jose (D1 L1), including a 4-1 win in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 on August 13. LAFC have scored at least three goals in seven of the 11 meetings at BMO Stadium.

In fact, LAFC have lost only one of their last 11 games played in October, November and December dating back to last season (W9 D1), with the lone defeat coming in the MLS Cup Final at Columbus Crew last December.

Meanwhile, the Earthquakes enter the final match of the season with 24 losses, tied for the most outright defeats in a single season in MLS history (along with D.C. United in 2013, excluding breakaway shootout losses).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LAFC – 73.9%

Draw – 15.2%

San Jose Earthquakes – 10.9%

Ian Russell says San Jose Earthquakes are determined to get a positive result in their final home game as they welcome Real Salt Lake to PayPal Park in MLS.

San Jose are looking to finish a disappointing season strongly and snapped a five-game winless streak with their 3-2 win over FC Dallas in midweek.

No matter the results in their final two matches, they will finish bottom of the Western Conference, but Russell is determined to give the fans something to celebrate before the end of the season.

"We want to finish the season strong; we know it's not been a great year," Russell said.

"We're not hiding from that, and we want to give the fans something to be happy about in this last home game.

"I can tell you that they will work hard and try to get three points."

Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake are pushing for the highest position they can, having already secured their playoff place.

They are unbeaten in their last four outings, though they have drawn their previous three matches, including a 0-0 draw with Minnesota United on Wednesday.

With the postseason edging closer, Pablo Mastroeni is looking to tidy up some issues to get the team ready for the playoffs.

"It's important to improve with every game, and that's the mindset to have," Mastroeni said.

"From an offensive standpoint, we need to be more dangerous in the box and threaten back lines more.

"It's about improving in the areas where you're efficient, but going into the playoffs we have to be steely defensively, and now we've got to make these things happen."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes – Cristian Espinoza

Cristian Espinoza recorded his 13th assist of the season on Wednesday, his fourth different MLS regular season with at least 13 assists.

He is one of six players in MLS history with at least four such seasons, joining Carlos Valderrama and Preki (both five), and Carles Gil Luciano Acosta and Landon Donovan (all four).

Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango

Cristian Arango has not scored in any of his last six regular-season appearances for Real Salt Lake, last finding the net in league play on July 6.

This equals Arango's longest goalscoring drought in MLS play, also failing to score in six straight games in April-May 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION: REAL SALT LAKE WIN

San Jose have won six of their last nine home matches against Real Salt Lake (D2 L1). RSL's 4-3 win at PayPal Park in September 2021 is their only win at San Jose since April 2015.

However, San Jose snapped a five-match winless run (D1 L4) with a 3-2 victory over Dallas on Wednesday. It marked the sixth consecutive match, and the 25th time overall the Earthquakes have allowed multiple goals in a match this season, equaling the MLS single-season record set by Orlando City in 2018.

Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake have won only one of their last 12 away matches in all competitions (D6 L5) dating back to the beginning of May. RSL have allowed at least three goals in six of those 12 matches.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes – 27.9%

Draw – 24.2%

Real Salt Lake – 47.9%

FC Dallas forward Logan Farrington urged his side to "take care of what we can control" as they bid to qualify for the playoffs.

Dallas' hopes of clinching a playoff spot took a blow as they lost 3-1 to Orlando City last time out.

The result left Dallas eight points behind the Portland Timbers, who occupy the final wildcard spot in the Western Conference.

Next up is a trip to the San Jose Earthquakes, who sit bottom of the West with just 18 points.

And Farrington, who had a goal disallowed for offside in Saturday's match, is taking confidence from a strong finish to their game against Orlando, despite the defeat.

As quoted by Big D Soccer, he said: "I think it shows what we can do and we know what we can do, but it needs to be a lot earlier in the game to get results and we know that. We're disappointed with the result.

"Right now we need to take care of what we can control. Go on the road, get six points, come back, and hopefully get another three points.

"We need to take care of business and hope the rest falls in place for us."

Reflecting on the loss to Orlando, Farrington added: "I think we definitely underperformed in the first half, especially after the game we had last week against LAFC. We came out flat, and they came out sharp and killed us on the ball.

"I think we were lucky to only be down by one. In the second half, we put in a better performance and came out stronger. We almost made the comeback but it was just too late."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes - Cristian Espinoza

It has been a dismal season for the 'Quakes, but that has not been for the efforts of Espinoza, who has provided 11 assists in MLS this season.

He is the star player Dallas must keep under lock and key if they are to get their playoff push back on track.

FC Dallas - Paul Arriola

Arriola got the goal for Dallas against Orlando, taking his tally for the season to five in MLS. 

He is Dallas' second-highest scorer, behind Petar Musa (15).

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

The Earthquakes have lost seven of their last eight home matches (W1) including the last four in a row.

San Jose's only longer regular-season home losing streak (excluding breakaway shootouts) was a six-match run in July-August 2000.

Dallas, however, have won just one of their last 15 regular-season away matches in 2024 (D5 L9). The only season in which Dallas did not manage at least two road wins over a full campaign was 2003 (one).

Seven of the last 10 meetings between these teams have ended in draws, with Dallas winning twice and San Jose winning once.

San Jose are winless in seven straight meetings with Dallas (D2 L5).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose - 33%

Dallas - 41.4%

Draw - 25.6%

CF Montreal full-back Tom Pearce believes his new side have all the capabilities of reaching the playoffs, preaching confidence within the group as key to their recent success.

After back-to-back defeats to New England Revolution and FC Cincinnati, conceding nine goals in those games, this weekend’s hosts have gone three unbeaten in the MLS.

Montreal currently sit 10th in the Eastern Conference, two points behind the Philadelphia Union in the final playoff place heading into the last four games of the regular season.

And Pearce, who joined the club from Wigan Athletic in July, has every confidence his team-mates can pull together to keep their campaign going.

“We’re in a good place after picking up seven points out of nine in one week. It’s a confidence booster and, not just the results, but the performances have been good,” Pearce said.

“After the two defeats we had, we got together as a group and just had an honest conversation about how we needed to get the confidence back to turn things around.

“I think since then we have done well in the games; training has been better, and we have that belief that if we keep playing our way, then fingers crossed, we will make the playoffs.”

San Jose, meanwhile, were unable to build on their draw with the Seattle Sounders after going down 2-1 against fellow Western Conference strugglers St. Louis City last time out.

The Earthquakes have won just one of their last five MLS fixtures, leaving them at the foot of the standings and 13 points behind the rest of the pack.

But with four games of the season remaining, interim head coach Ian Russell is hoping his players can leave it all out on the pitch and end a disappointing season on a high.

“As a coach, you try and motivate them by getting them prepared first of all,” Russell said.

“Knowing that as a professional player, it is your job to play and to play hard every game, even though we are out of the playoffs.

“They are battling for contracts, and you would hope that would be enough motivation for them. There has been good energy, but we have started poorly in the last few matches.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Montreal – Caden Clark

Clark has now scored two goals in his last three MLS matches after finding the back of the net just once in his previous 60 regular season appearances dating back to June 2021.

San Jose – Jeremy Ebobisse

Ebobisse scored his 33rd career regular season goal for San Jose in their defeat on Saturday.

Only Chris Wondolowski (167) and Ronald Cerritos (61) have scored more goals for the Earthquakes in the club’s MLS history.

MATCH PREDICTION: MONTREAL WIN

Montreal have won four of their last six home matches in all competitions (L2), including each of the last two. Montreal have suffered only two defeats in their last 12 matches at home dating back to late May (W6 D4).

This will be the Earthquakes’ first visit to Montreal since July 2018, when the hosts recorded a 2-0 victory. In fact, Montreal have won all five of their home matches against San Jose by an aggregate score of 11-2.

San Jose’s 2-1 defeat to St. Louis last time out was their 22nd loss of the year, equalling the second-most defeats in a single season in the post-shootout era (since 2000). Only D.C. United in 2013 (24 losses) have suffered more defeats in a single season in the post-shootout era.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Montreal – 52.3%

Draw – 24.4%

San Jose – 23.4%

St. Louis City interim head coach John Hackworth says they will treat San Jose Earthquakes with respect as he is wary of their fighting spirit.

St. Louis sit 13th in the Western Conference, one place above Saturday's opponents, but are 10 points better off than San Jose on 28.

Their four-match unbeaten streak came to an end last weekend, as they failed to defend their early lead in a 3-1 defeat to Minnesota United.

Hackworth is still without an away win since stepping into the hot seat, and he expects a big challenge as he attempts to change that weekend.

"[San Jose] have a lot of consistency, and I've been really impressed by their spirit," Hackworth said.

"They don't look like a team that should be last in the west right now. They have a lot of fight left in them.

"They are not a team that we can take lightly, we need to give them our full respect, but focus on us because we believe we are a much better team than our record shows."

Meanwhile, San Jose returned to MLS after the Leagues Cup with a shock win over Real Salt Lake but are winless in three since.

They snatched a late 2-2 draw against Seattle Sounders on Wednesday, and interim head coach Ian Russell is targeting a strong finish to the season.

"We always come out and plan to try and push the game," Russell said. "As a coach, I want to be on the front foot and I want to attack, but you have to understand that being pressed is part of it.

"But you also have to hurt them as well. We always want to start fast. We've never had a gameplan where we're set up to absorb pressure, that's not part of it."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes – Cristian Espinoza

Cristian Espinoza delivered his 11th and 12th assists of the regular season on Wednesday against Seattle Sounders.

This is Espinoza's fourth regular season with more than 10 assists for San Jose (also 2019, 2022, 2023), with no other player in team history having more than two such seasons.

St. Louis City – Cedric Teuchert

Cedric Teuchert's fourth-minute goal for St. Louis on Saturday was the club’s sixth goal in the opening five minutes of matches.

The only team with more goals in the first five minutes of matches since St. Louis City joined MLS in 2023 is the Vancouver Whitecaps (seven).

MATCH PREDICTION: ST. LOUIS CITY WIN

St. Louis have won all three meetings with San Jose, outscoring them 7-1 over the three games. The Earthquakes are the only team St. Louis have faced more than once and won every match.

However, St. Louis are winless in 17 straight away matches in all competitions (D8 L9) dating back to the end of last season, though their last three on the road have all been drawn. They have never gone unbeaten in four straight away matches in all competitions before.

Meanwhile, San Jose came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw at Seattle on Wednesday. It marked the first time the Earthquakes had earned a point from a losing position since a come-from-behind 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids in May, after losing their previous 13 regular-season matches when going behind.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes – 34.3%

Draw – 25.8%

St. Louis City – 39.9%

Seattle Sounders will hope to make the most of their home advantage when they host San Jose Earthquakes, as Brian Schmetzer's side aim to further their MLS playoffs bid.

The Sounders are fifth in the Western Conference standings after their 2-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City last time out.

Schmetzer's men are nine points adrift of West leaders LA Galaxy heading into this clash at Lumen Field, where the Sounders hope to improve further in their post-season chase.

"[We have] to keep the momentum going, but one game at a time," said centre-back Jackson Ragen. "Keep winning, and then keep that going in the playoffs.

"This is the home stretch, and every game is huge, because it's going to come down to our position in the playoffs."

Midfielder Paul Rothrock echoed a similar sentiment, adding: "We have threats from a lot of different areas, and that's what's brought success this season.

"I think having a lot of weapons going into the postseason is going to be crucial and also having a locker room full of guys that are pushing together."

San Jose have endured a tough season to date, sitting bottom of the Sounders' division, but the visitors did defeat Seattle 3-2 in the reverse meeting this campaign.

They are the only team out of playoff contention already, owing to a woeful term, with Ian Russell's men only winning five games all season.

Russell will be desperate the tide turns on the road in Seattle on Thursday.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Raul Ruidiaz

The Earthquakes must be wary of Raul Ruidiaz, given he has scored nine career regular-season goals against San Jose, having only managed more against the Timbers (10).

Only three players (Jeff Cunningham and Preki – 11, Paul Bravo – 10) have scored more goals against the Earthquakes in MLS history, with Ruidiaz dangerously close to reaching those heights here.

San Jose Earthquakes – Cristian Espinoza

Seattle may be quaking in their booths thinking of San Jose's Cristian Espinoza, who has been involved in eight goals (five goals, three assists) in five matches against the Sounders since the start of the 2022 season.

The only player to record more goal contributions against a single opponent in that time is Espinoza himself against Los Angeles FC (nine), and the Earthquakes star will fancy carrying that run on here.

MATCH PREDICTION – SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN

The Sounders are the overriding favourites for this clash, given their strong recent head-to-head record and San Jose's drab form.

Seattle have won six of their last seven regular season home matches (L1), including the aforementioned win over SKC on Sunday.

The Sounders had managed just four wins in their previous 19 home league matches (D10 L5) dating back to May 2023, but have since turned a corner – and things may continue to improve here.

San Jose's defeat at Vancouver on Saturday was their 21st loss in 28 matches in the 2024 regular season. Another reverse would equal the second-most losses in a single season in the post-shootout era (since 2000) as only D.C. United (24 losses) in 2013 lost more than 22 times in a season.

Yet not all visiting hope is lost, considering San Jose have won three straight matches against Seattle for the second time (also in 2012—13). Overall, The Earthquakes are unbeaten in four straight visits to Seattle in all competitions (W2 D2).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders win – 68.5%

Draw – 17.5%

San Jose Earthquakes win – 14%

Minnesota United head coach Eric Ramsay is hopeful his team have settled into their new "identity" ahead of their trip to San Jose Earthquakes in MLS.

After snapping a winless streak in MLS before the Leagues Cup, Minnesota were beaten 3-2 by Seattle Sounders last time out, having come from behind to level twice before Albert Rusnak's winner.

They sit 11th in the Western Conference but still have the playoffs in sight.

Ramsay believes his team are starting to gel after introducing new signings and other returning from various injury setbacks.

"We're finding analyzing where we are now difficult as a group because the Seattle game felt like day one of a new season, and we've loved working with our new group over the last three weeks," Ramsay said.

"But we've got to analyze it with an element of urgency and desperation wrapped around it because it's a group that wants to reach the playoffs.

"We need to keep pushing to make sure we see the results on a weekend, and now we can start to see a real emergence of an identity in the team."

Meanwhile, San Jose Earthquakes got an impressive win over high-flying Real Salt Lake last time out, snapping their three-match losing streak in MLS.

They are still bottom of the table, but interim head coach Ian Russell was impressed with the manner of the win and is hoping they can continue their high-level performances on home soil.

"I told the guys the last six or seven games have been really, really good," he said.

"We haven't won them all, obviously, but ever since the Houston game at home, we started showing a lot of fight. And you know, we've had a couple losses late in games, but the win over Real Salt Lake was really good."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes – Cristian Espinoza

Cristian Espinoza has never scored in 10 career regular season matches against Minnesota.

The Loons are the only one of the 11 teams Espinoza has faced 10 or more times in his MLS career that he has never scored against.

Minnesota United – Kelvin Yeboah

Kelvin Yeboah scored both of Minnesota's goals against Seattle Sounders on Saturday, becoming the 22nd player in MLS history to score multiple goals on his debut and the first in over two years, since Nathan Fogaca did so for Portland in May 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Minnesota have lost only one of their last 11 matches against San Jose in all competitions (won six, drawn four) dating back to 2019 after the Earthquakes won each of the first four meetings between the sides in 2017 and 2018.

However, Minnesota are winless in eight straight road matches in all competitions (two draws, six losses). This is their longest winless run away from home since a 17-match stretch from March to October 2018.

Meanwhile, San Jose's 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake on Saturday was just their fifth win of the season, but four of those five wins have been against teams in the top five in the current Western Conference standings (Los Angeles FC, RSL, Colorado Rapids, Seattle).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes – 38.1%

Draw – 26.5%

Minnesota United – 35.4%

Pablo Mastroeni has backed new arrival Diogo Goncalves to mirror the impact of departed star Andres Gomez, as Real Salt Lake prepare to return to MLS action against the San Jose Earthquakes.

Real Salt Lake emerge from the Leagues Cup break third in the Western Conference standings, with only Inter Miami (56) bettering their 51 goals this season in MLS.

However, they must continue their playoff push without Gomez, who has joined French side Rennes after contributing seven goals and 13 assists in regular-season action this year.

The $11million fee RSL received for Gomez allowed them to strengthen in the transfer market, and Mastroeni feels Goncalves – brought in from Copenhagen – could replicate his impact.

"If I had to take a flier, I'd say Diogo is a top player. He has the pedigree of playing for some top clubs, he's an established player," Mastroeni told KSL Sports.

"All his attributes are extremely refined, he has an unbelievable eye for goal. I think he will be an important player for our team.

"He is the player I would say can be most equivalent to Andres Gomez in terms of his effect on the attacking side of our game."

While RSL are in the conversation to be top seeds, San Jose are propping up the Western Conference with just 14 points, some nine adrift of St. Louis City in 13th.

Interim boss Ian Russell acknowledges their postseason hopes are likely over and they are playing for pride, saying: "It's tough to make the playoffs right now. 

"The motivation for players should come from within as well. You can't always be the coach motivating them. 

"This is their job, they get paid to do this and they're playing for contracts as well. It's just pride — we need to win games."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango

Arango leads the MLS scoring charts for 2024, with his 17 goals tied for the most by a Salt Lake player in a single regular season, alongside Alvaro Saborio in 2012.

His 28 total goal contributions this term, meanwhile, are the most by a player in a single campaign in RSL's MLS history.

San Jose Earthquakes – Gavin Beavers

The Earthquakes have conceded 61 goals through 25 matches this season, tied with the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 2001 for the most allowed at this stage of an MLS season. 

Only three teams have ever had a worse goal difference than San Jose's minus-30 at this stage of a season. Goalkeeper Beavers could be a busy man as he targets just his third clean sheet of the year.

MATCH PREDICTION: REAL SALT LAKE WIN

Real Salt Lake have won six of their last seven regular-season home matches (one defeat), scoring five goals in three of their last five at home after doing so just four times through the first 312 regular-season home games in their history.

They have also scored in each of their last 14 home matches against San Jose, their longest such streak against any opponent in their MLS history.

Meanwhile, only the 1999 MetroStars (nine) have ever had fewer points after 25 games of a season than San Jose this year (14, tied with three other teams). As just the second team in the post-shootout era to lose 19 of their first 25 games in a season, they are big outsiders.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Salt Lake – 64.8%

San Jose Earthquakes – 16.7%

Draw – 19.1%

Minnesota United head coach Eric Ramsay says the club are "onto a good thing" despite their nine-match winless streak as they prepare to face the San Jose Earthquakes.

Minnesota ended a six-match losing run against Houston Dynamo last weekend with a 1-1 draw but could not build on that in midweek as they let a lead slip in stoppage time against D.C. United to lose 3-2.

Sitting ninth in the Western Conference with teams below them are starting to close in, but Ramsay, who is starting to come under pressure due to this run of results, remains optimistic.

"I always see hope," Ramsay said. "We've got a group that is very willing to throw themselves into a challenge and a coaching staff that are largely very positive and constructive.

"We're doing everything we can to make sure that we roll from one game into another. We look at ourselves hard in the mirror, but we're also realistic, and I am absolutely adamant that we're onto a good thing here.

"The big thing is we remain calm and level, with lessons learned, and everything still intact."

Meanwhile, San Jose sit rooted to the bottom of the table having collected just 14 points this season.

Despite winning just one of their last 12 matches, interim head coach Ian Russell says he sees improvement in the team, especially defensively.

"We've had three games in a week, and you want to focus on each game, but that's really hard," Russell said.

"Defensively, we're better, but we've got to get the attack going. It's a fine line. It's a matter of every player buying in defensively, staying compact, small details.

"If you do that as a collective, you start seeing results and, defensively, we've been pretty good."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Minnesota United – Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi

Minnesota's 3-2 defeat to D.C. on Wednesday marked the second time in club history that the Loons lost an MLS match when leading entering the 90th minute, also doing so at home against Seattle in August 2018.

Oluwaseyi scored the opener in that game, netting for the eighth time this season, and he will be key as they look to bounce back.

San Jose Earthquakes – Jacob Jackson

San Jose have lost four straight, and nine of their 11 road games this regular season (winning one, drawing one). The Earthquakes have allowed at least four goals in five of those 11 games.

Jacob Jackson has endured a torrid run in goal, and he will be keen to enjoy a shutout before the Leagues Cup break.

MATCH PREDICTION: MINNESOTA UNITED WIN

San Jose won each of their first four meetings with Minnesota, spanning the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Since 2019, the Earthquakes have managed just one win in 10 meetings with the Loons in all competitions (drawing four, losing five).

Minnesota are winless in a club-record nine straight regular-season matches (drawing two, losing seven) following a 3-2 loss to D.C. on Wednesday. The Loons have lost three straight home matches for the first time in the club's MLS history.

Meanwhile, San Jose's 14 points through 24 games this season equals the fourth-fewest at this stage of a season in MLS history, behind only the MetroStars in 1999 (nine), D.C. United in 2013 (13) and Chivas USA in 2005 (13).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Minnesota United – 56.1%

Draw – 22.7%

San Jose Earthquakes – 21.2%

Interim San Jose Earthquakes boss Ian Russell is keen to carry the momentum from last week's crucial victory over the Chicago Fire into Saturday, when Sporting Kansas City visit PayPal Park.

The Earthquakes halted a nine-match winless run and recorded their first victory in three games under Russell last time out, Hernan Lopez's goal proving enough to beat Chicago. 

San Jose remain six points adrift of their nearest rivals – Saturday's opponents Sporting – at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, but Russell hopes last week's win can be a turning point.

"We needed a win. The Clasico was disappointing and against St. Louis we were flat. I thought we were on the front foot and deserved to win," Russell said. 

"We're happy with how the players responded and got after it. We've had some close ones go the other way.

"Depending on the opponent, the main objective for us was to stop conceding goals. We needed to grind out a game like that and it gives us confidence moving forward.

"We just need to build momentum from that last game and carry it on to Sporting."

Sporting were also victorious last week, beating FC Dallas 3-2 in a game that saw William Agada score twice and Zorhan Bassong sent off late on.

Having then needed extra time to overcome the same opponents in the U.S. Open Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday, coach Peter Vermes will leave it until the last minute to pick Saturday's starting lineup. 

"We go back to 20 guys now and I can't bury a bunch of guys. One issue is Bassong being out for the next game, that hurts a bit," Vermes said after their Dallas double-header.

"We'll have some challenges that we'll have to deal with and it'll be Saturday morning when we see how some of the players are."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes – Cristian Espinoza

Espinoza provided the assist on the lone goal in San Jose's win over Chicago last Sunday, his 10th assist of the season. 

This is Espinoza's fourth career double-digit assist season, something no other Earthquakes player has done more than twice.

Sporting Kansas City – William Adaga

After scoring twice against Dallas last weekend, Agada has netted in 12 different matches in MLS, and half of those contests have seen him score a brace. 

Of players that have scored in 10 or more MLS matches, only Miguel Almiron (53.8%, 7/13) has had multiple goals in a higher percentage of them.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Sporting KC have only lost two of their last 18 matches against the 'Quakes in all competitions, winning 10 and drawing six in a run dating back to September 2016.

One of San Jose's two victories in that span, however, did come when the teams last faced off at PayPal Park last April, a 3-0 win.

With Sporting losing eight straight regular-season road matches, their longest losing streak away from home in the post-shootout era (since 2000), this fixture may come at a good time for San Jose. Whether they have the quality to take three points, though, is a big question.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes – 35.9%

Sporting Kansas City – 38%

Draw – 26.1%

Greg Vanney hailed "tireless worker" Gabriel Pec after the Brazilian continued his excellent form with a goal against Real Salt Lake.

The Galaxy beat RSL 1-0 last time out to join them and their city rivals Los Angeles FC on 37 points at the summit of the Western Conference.

Pec netted his sixth MLS goal of the season in that victory, while the winger has also provided six assists.

And ahead of the Galaxy facing the San Jose Earthquakes, Vanney was full of praise for Pec.

“The guy is a tireless worker. He's a horse," he said, via The Galactic Tribune.

"It's like I think he's played 50 games in each of the last three seasons. So coming here and playing the games that we have and the busy schedule moments, for him, it's nothing.

“We know the quality he has. His ability on the right side to get in on his left foot, and he's had a couple finishes in the last few games on that. When he's on the left, he gets to the end line and he creates problems setting up goals which he did earlier in the week.

"He's finding his ways in this league and in this team, and we are finding ways to continue to get him on the ball in good positions."

Vanney also lauded the Galaxy's defence after they kept a second successive clean sheet.

“That's two in a row. That's not something we have done in probably a long time," he added.

"It's a big thing for our group, as well. If we defend well, we're going to be really, really difficult to beat."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes - Jeremy Ebobisse 

Ebobisse has scored 10 regular-season goals against the Galaxy, four more than against any other team in his career. Only four players in MLS history have netted more goals against the Galaxy in regular-season play.

LA Galaxy - Dejan Joveljic

Pec might be a huge danger, but the Galaxy's main threat in front of goal is Joveljic, who has scored 11 league goals this term.

MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN

The Galaxy have won three straight matches for the first time since a four-match winning streak in August-September 2020. That run ended with a scoreless draw at San Jose.

The Earthquakes suffered their 14th loss in 19 matches this regular season with a 6-2 defeat to LAFC on Saturday.

The only team in the post-shoot-out era to lose 15 times in their first 20 matches of a season was the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 2001 (16).

The Galaxy have won three straight matches against the Earthquakes in all competitions for the first time since August-September 2002. Neither team has recorded four straight outright wins (excluding breakaway shoot-outs) in the 100-match history of the series in all competitions.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes - 29%

LA Galaxy - 46.5%

Draw - 24.5%

Los Angeles FC moved to the Western Conference summit with a 6-2 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes.at BMO Stadium.

Mateusz Bogusz struck twice, while Denis Bouanga, Kei Kamara, Ryan Hollingshead and Tomas Angel were also on target as LAFC returned to winning ways in MLS.

Steve Cherundolo's side saw their eight-match winning streak end at Austin in midweek, but they took the lead through Bogusz after a quarter of an hour.

Bouanga doubled the lead with his 13th goal of the season, while Kamara headed in a Bogusz cross before Hollingshead's deflected strike made it 4-0 before half-time.

Rodrigues replied for bottom side San Jose in first-half stoppage time, before Benjamin Kikanovic reduced the arrears in the 57th minute.

However, LAFC had the final word with Angel striking three minutes from time to send them top of the Western Conference - ahead of Real Salt Lake and LA Galaxy by virtue of winning one more game.

Data Debrief: Kamara passes Donovan

Kamara's header gave him his 146th regular-season goal in MLS, moving him past Landon Donovan and into second place on the all-time list.

The 39-year-old is now 25 goals behind Chris Wondolowski's record, while LAFC extended their franchise-record unbeaten streak to 10 matches.

Portland Timbers have kept back-to-back shutouts on the road in MLS and Phil Neville is hoping that continues when his side visit San Jose Earthquakes on Thursday.

The Timbers overcame Austin FC 2-0 before battling to a goalless draw on their trip to St. Louis City, with a 2-2 home draw coming against Houston Dynamo in between.

That run of form has helped Portland climb up to 10th in the Western Conference and the improvements have not gone unnoticed by head coach Neville.

"I'm seeing improvements in the whole team defensively, not just in the back four, but the defending starts from the front," the former Inter Miami boss said.

"I think, maybe, a month ago we wouldn't have kept that St. Louis clean sheet.

"They are throwing their bodies in the way, using smart play, game management and players are confident in what they are doing, so we are really pleased."

Neville still believes his side can develop further, however.

"[Against St. Louis] we had some moments to score some goals, it was the first time our forward players just didn't have that quality in the final third," Neville added.

"It was a good point, and we've had a rest to get ready for the next one."

The Earthquakes sit bottom of the West standings after a woeful season up to the midway point.

Luchi Gonzalez's side could soon jump off the bottom of the table, however, trailing Sporting Kansas City by just three points.

Yet San Jose will need a minor miracle to save this campaign.

They have conceded nine goals in their last two matches after a 5-1 thrashing by New York City FC followed a 4-2 home humbling by FC Cincinnati.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes – Jeremy Ebobisse

Jeremy Ebobisse has not scored in six MLS matches against the Timbers since being traded from Portland to San Jose in 2021.

Ebobisse has played more matches without scoring against just one other opponent in his MLS career, failing to find the net in 11 career meetings with Minnesota United.

Portland Timbers – Evander

Evander remains Neville's go-to player in the Portland attack.

The Brazilian has seven goals and as many assists, with no team-mate able to match his 14 direct goal contributions this year in MLS.

MATCH PREDICTION – PORTLAND TIMBERS WIN

The Opta supercomputer struggled to split these two sides, yet Portland appear the favourites for a narrow victory considering recent form and their head-to-head record.

The Timbers have won three straight matches against San Jose in all competitions, their fifth three-match winning streak over the Earthquakes.

However, they have never won four in a row against San Jose – who head into this clash in terrible form.

The Earthquakes have lost 12 of 17 matches this year and their 11 points are tied for the third-fewest at the halfway point of a season since MLS expanded to a 34-game schedule in 2011 (D.C. United – nine in 2013, Toronto FC – 10 in 2012).

Portland have also only lost one of their last six matches, recording 11 points in those games (W3 D2), including going unbeaten in a season-high four straight (W2 D2).

The Timbers have more points in those six matches than they had in their first 12 this season (10 – W2 D4 L6) and will hope to continue that run here.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes – 35.2%

Portland Timbers – 38.9%

Draw – 26%

The San Jose Earthquakes may sit bottom of the Western Conference standings ahead of Saturday's clash with Orlando City, but Luchi Gonzalez is certain they will be just fine.

The 'Quakes saw their mini revival halted by a 4-2 loss to the Portland Timbers in midweek, having previously won three straight games across all competitions.

Their 10 points are fewer than all MLS teams except the New England Revolution (seven) have won this season, but Gonzalez has seen positive signs.

"We're going to be fine. This is a great group, and they continue to fight for each other. It's hard when we drop points," he said.

"I expect nothing but a fire in their belly and a response against Orlando and then in the next one, and it's really fun and exciting to coach this team. 

"These guys work for each other and they want to keep getting better, and I'm confident they will keep getting better as the season continues."

Orlando have also made a stuttering start, earning 13 points from 12 games to sit 11th in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Lions did shut out a Lionel Messi-less Inter Miami side in a goalless draw on Wednesday, though, and midfielder Wilder Cartagena has seen signs of progress.

"Especially in the last few games, we've been showing ourselves to be more dangerous and attacking," Cartagena said.

"It's similar to how we were in the last half of last year but obviously there are a couple of minor adjustments that we have to make. I think we are playing a lot better in that area."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes – Amahl Pellegrino 

Pellegrino has scored in three straight games, becoming the first San Jose player to do so in MLS play since Cristian Espinoza between July and August last year (four straight). 

It's Pellegrino's first time scoring in three straight league matches since he netted in four in a row for Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in 2023.

Orlando City – Cesar Araujo

Orlando allowed 29 shots against the Philadelphia Union last Saturday but just seven against Miami on Wednesday. It was the first time in their MLS history that Orlando faced at least 20 fewer shots from one game to the next.

Araujo protected the backline admirably in midweek and will look to do likewise again here.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

The home side has never lost in six all-time meetings between San Jose and Orlando. 

The first three meetings were all drawn before the hosts won each of the last three, with San Jose winning at home in 2019 and Orlando recording home wins in 2018 and 2021.

After their midweek stalemate against Miami, Orlando have been shut out five times in league play this season. That is tied for the most in MLS in 2024, while their six times being held scoreless in all competitions this term also equals the most by any MLS outfit. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes – 38.4%

Orlando City – 33.4%

Draw – 28.2%