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Minnesota United Aim to Break Road Slump Against Struggling San Jose Earthquakes
Minnesota United are heading into Saturday night’s match against the San Jose Earthquakes with a clear goal: end their road woes and strengthen their position in the heated Western Conference playoff race. Both teams have a lot on the line, despite being at opposite ends of the standings.
Playoff Push for Minnesota United
The Loons (9-11-6, 33 points) are just one point shy of the Western Conference playoff line, making every remaining match crucial in their quest for a postseason spot. However, their struggles on the road have been a major hurdle. They haven’t won an away game in their last seven attempts (0-5-2) since their victory over Atlanta United on May 4.
Understanding the stakes, goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair highlighted the team’s determination to secure maximum points.
“We know we’re at that point in the season where every game is very important and can really affect the standings,” St. Clair said. “We need to collect as many points as possible. We have to go into every game with the mentality that we’re going to go and get three points.”
With five of their final eight regular-season matches on the road, starting with Saturday’s clash, Minnesota knows they need to turn their away form around to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Recent Form and Previous Encounter
Minnesota’s overall form has been shaky, with just one win in their last 11 league matches (1-8-2). That lone victory, however, came against the very team they’re facing this weekend—San Jose. Back on July 20 in Saint Paul, the Loons secured a solid 2-0 win, thanks to a 75th-minute goal by Bongokuhle Hlongwane and an own goal by San Jose defender Tanner Beason. St. Clair also notched his third clean sheet of the season in that game.
The Loons will be looking to replicate that performance and use it as a springboard to regain momentum as the season enters its critical final stages.
San Jose Earthquakes Seeking to Build on Recent Success
The San Jose Earthquakes (5-19-2, 17 points) are sitting at the bottom of the MLS standings, with the fewest points and the worst goal differential (-28) in the league. Despite their rough season, they’re coming off a surprising 2-0 road victory against Real Salt Lake, a result that has given the team a much-needed boost of confidence.
Interim head coach Ian Russell, who stepped in after Luchi Gonzalez on June 24, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s complete performance.
“I was just happy with the consistent 94-minute performance on the road,” Russell said. “I feel like it was a really complete win.”
Espinoza’s Milestone and Impact
One bright spot for the Earthquakes has been Cristian Espinoza, who scored his fourth goal of the season in their win over Real Salt Lake. That goal was a milestone for Espinoza, marking his 100th goal contribution for San Jose—32 goals and 68 assists. He now ranks third in all-time points for the club, behind only Chris Wondolowski (207) and Ronald Cerritos (108).
“It means a lot,” Espinoza shared about his achievement. “Since I came here in 2019, I never expected to achieve all these numbers. Obviously, I’m extremely happy. I hope I can keep going and achieve more with San Jose.”
Espinoza’s form will be crucial if the Earthquakes hope to build on their recent success and finish the season on a high note.
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Match Outlook
Saturday’s match offers a pivotal opportunity for both teams. Minnesota United is desperate to shake off their road troubles and secure a playoff position, while San Jose aims to build on their recent victory and potentially spoil Minnesota’s postseason hopes.
Given Minnesota’s urgent need for points and San Jose’s newfound confidence, fans can expect a competitive and intense battle at PayPal Park.
