The San Jose Earthquakes will have another chance to prove their Western Conference contender credentials when they host San Diego FC on Saturday night.
San Jose (4-1-0, 12 points) sits third in the West following the March international break, just above fourth-place San Diego (3-0-2, 11 points).
And so far, the key difference from last year’s San Jose squad that finished one spot outside the playoff field is easy to see.
“This year, we already have four shutouts, which is a real positive,” second-year coach Bruce Arena said. “That improvement isn’t just down to the back line and the goalkeeper. It’s a credit to the entire team.”
Brazilian goalkeeper Daniel has saved 14 of 15 efforts on target against San Jose’s goal, and with his fifth clean sheet he would match his MLS career high in his fourth season in the league.
Ousseni Bouda, Preston Judd and Daniel Munie each have two goals. Former Tottenham and RB Leipzig player Timo Werner has two assists and has had more time to work toward 90-minute fitness after making his first MLS start March 15 in a 1-0 loss to Seattle.
Meanwhile, San Diego has played as many games as any MLS side after competing for two rounds in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
The second-year team eventually crashed out of the tournament against Toluca of Mexico, 6-3 on aggregate goals, during a stretch of five matches in 15 days.
“I think the experience of the mental fatigue is going to be a really good one for us the next time we go through it,” San Diego coach Mikey Varas said. “Because ultimately, I think from a mental perspective, so many games and being tired and having to repeat it over and over again could’ve led to some sloppy moments, but it’s a really big learning lesson.”
San Diego rebounded from elimination with a 2-2 home draw against Real Salt Lake on March 22. San Diego’s Marcus Ingvartsen scored his team-leading fourth goal and Anders Dreyer added his third.
Christopher McVey received a second yellow card late, forcing the hosts to hold on to preserve their unbeaten start to league play. He’ll serve a one-game suspension on Saturday.
–Field Level Media
