If you watch one MLS game this weekend, for the love of the game please make it this one.
Earthquakes communications are billing Saturday evening’s tie as a “battle for Western Conference, Supporters’ Shield supremacy.” Notwithstanding the usual hyperbole that accompanies any team’s emails, it’s not incorrect.
A Battle for #1
The superlatives and plotlines that accompany this match are as impressive as they are long. Both started as expansion clubs in 1974 with the now defunct North American Soccer League. In fact, the very first game they played was against one another (Quakes won 2-1).
Fast forward 52 years, and the teams are No. 1 and No. 2 in both the Western Conference and Supporters’ Shield standings. Both teams won eight of their first nine games, an MLS record. San Jose’s league record is 9-1-1 (28 pts; 26 GF, 7 GA), and they’ve gone unbeaten since their March 15th 1-0 loss to Seattle. Vancouver are breathing down their neck at 8-1-1 (25 pts; 26 GF, 6 GA). Their only loss was on March 22, at home, to San Jose.
So there’s a revenge narrative at play on top of the obvious “who’s number 1” question. It’s highly unlikely that any future match this season will equal this one in terms of the quality of the opponents.
- They are tied for first in MLS in goals scored this season (26).
- They rank 1st and 2nd in goal differential (Vancouver +20 and San Jose +19).
- This match features the most combined points per game (2.52) between opponents in MLS history after 10 games.
- FUN FACT: In every other matchup between highest PPG teams in MLS history, the eventual Supporters’ Shield winner competed.
Disclaimer
I’m not saying that San Jose or Vancouver are going to win the Supporters Shield. But at this moment it’s hard to see anyone else challenging them.
As I’ve reported before, that San Jose sits atop the league is one of the more surprising stories of the season. Vancouver sitting right behind them? Not so much. They were expected to be strong; they did reach the MLS Cup final in 2025.
What Does Bruce Arena Think?
The Earthquakes coach has been on the precipice of big games many times. When asked by reporters about the magnitude of this clash, he shrugged. “It’s still early in the season,” he reminded the pool. “Vancouver is a good team, you may have noticed they did well last year,” he deadpanned. “They have good players and are well coached. ” That was all the drama he would provide.
When asked to comment on Vancouver’s struggle to find new ownership, and rumors that they might relocate, he paused. “We’re for sale too,” he began, then claimed any further replies were outside his pay grade. “You should speak with the commissioner about that.”
Entschuldigung, kein Bundesbattle
One piece of bad news Arena provided touched on Timo Werner, San Jose’s Designated Player.
Many were excited to see him and Thomas Müller, Vancouver’s star and Werner’s long-time teammate on the German national squad, compete in the same match.
In March, Müller was ill and did not play. Werner will miss this fixture after straining a hamstring against Minnesota in last week’s US Open Cup tie.
Other Injury News
Arena confirmed that Niko Tsakaris’ injury sustained last Saturday in Toronto is significant enough that he’ll miss a few weeks. Reserve keeper Earl Edwards and Vitor Costa are both questionable with knocks. Both he and Preston Judd, speaking with reporters, were copacetic about the injuries: “They’re a part of the game. They’re not an excuse. It’s next man up.”
Vancouver also have a number of downed players. They will be missing four defenders (Ralph Priso, Belal Halbouni, Sebastian Schonlau, Sam Akekugbe) and Scottish attacker Ryan Gauld.
Next Man Up
Nothing epitomizes the spirit of the Quake team than this phrase. But it’s no platitude. It reveals itself in the grit and resilience each player shows. It also shows up in the stats sheet. Through eleven games last year, the trio of Arango, Martínez and Espinoza accounted for 17g/10a. The rest of the team: 7g/10a.
This season, over the same period, the top three offensive performers are Werner, Bouda and Judd (16g/10a). The rest of the team: 10g/22a. Those numbers show roster depth and a well-rounded approach to the attack. As Daniel Munie said: “There’s no egos. We don’t care who scores. We’re a collective.”
How it Should Play
PayPal Park is a confirmed sell-out, so the atmosphere should be raucous and ground shaking. San Jose also had a full week’s rest after playing seven matches in a 21 day span between April 11 and May 2.
That tight schedule may have played a factor in their recent defensive fragility. In their last five matches, they conceded first, but battled back to win four and draw the other. “That’s not a part of our game plan,” Arena quipped when that fact was shared with him.
Judd added: “We know Vancouver will be a tough game. The last one was a battle and we had to grind it [the win] out.”
Both sides can score. Both sides can defend. So assuming both play their game, it will come down to the little things. Vancouver leads MLS is goals from set pieces (including corners and PKs) with ten. San Jose has yet to concede from one.
Up in Vancouver, the deciding factor was Beau Leroux, who smashed a rocket from outside the box. Someone will have to step up again Saturday night in PayPal Park. Now we’ll have to see who.
