While the San Jose Earthquakes would like to get the necessary points for home-field advantage in the postseason, Real Salt Lake are hoping to avoid the play-in — or, worse, elimination.
Two teams seeking improved playoff positioning get together Saturday afternoon when San Jose hosts Salt Lake.
San Jose (13-9-10, 49 points) enters its final two games holding fifth place in the Western Conference standings with an outside chance at getting as high as second.
San Jose is two points behind St. Louis and Houston. The Earthquakes have one fewer win than those teams and two fewer victories than Dallas, which is five points ahead.
San Jose enters the contest 0-1-4 in its past five games but also 3-1-7 in its past 11 games. Its inability to consistently get wins is also contributing to the possibility of falling to sixth, since the Earthquakes hold a two-point lead on Los Angeles FC, who have 12 victories.
On Wednesday, the Earthquakes took an early lead but had to rally for a 2-2 tie thanks to a goal in the 83rd minute by Jack Jasinski, who also scored the tying goal in second-half stoppage time Oct. 14 against Real Salt Lake.
“We’re not a team positioned to be MLS Cup favorites at the moment, but we’re getting better,” San Jose coach Bruce Arena said. “There are a lot of things we need to improve on, both on and off the field, but we’re making progress. The guys did a great job. I’m really proud of them.”
Real Salt Lake (12-14-6, 42 points) are clinging to the ninth and final playoff spot in the West — one point behind both Colorado and Seattle, one point ahead of the Los Angeles Galaxy and two points above Portland. RSL are tied in wins with the Rapids while the Sounders have 11 wins.
Missing the postseason altogether remains a distinct possibility, but Salt Lake can clinch a playoff spot Saturday by earning a win in conjunction with losses or draws by the Galaxy and Timbers.
Salt Lake is seeking its season-high fourth straight win after eking out a 2-1 win at Austin FC on Wednesday thanks to second-half goals by Saba Lobjanidze and Morgan Guilavogui six minutes apart.
“I’ll back this group to be able to put their best foot forward against anyone,” Salt Lake coach Pablo Mastroeni said. “Given the way we’re playing and the mentality that the group has.”
Preston Judd paces the Earthquakes with 16 goals, while Sergi Solans is tops for RSL with 14.
–Field Level Media
