San Jose Earthquakes v San Diego FC: Arena hails defensive effort in strong start

San Jose Earthquakes head coach Bruce Area hailed his aspect’s defensive efforts amid their constructive begin to the 2026 MLS season.

The Earthquakes have gained 4 of their 5 video games to start out the marketing campaign (L1), leaving them third within the Western Convention and one level forward of San Diego FC, who they host subsequent.

San Jose have saved a clear sheet in every of their 4 victories this time period, whereas they conceded simply as soon as of their loss to the Seattle Sounders.

The one objective San Jose has allowed this season is their fewest at this stage of a marketing campaign.

Area praised the work price of the entire crew following their robust begin, whereas he additionally laid out their objectives for the 2026 marketing campaign.

“This yr, we have already got 4 shutouts, which is an actual constructive,” Area stated.

“That enchancment isn’t simply right down to the again line and the goalkeeper. It’s a credit score to your complete crew.

“Our focus is on persevering with to enhance and pushing to qualify for the playoffs. That’s our objective this season.”

Subsequent Match: @sandiegofc

Offered by @ford pic.twitter.com/5o2gYIt74p

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) March 17, 2026

San Diego drew 2-2 with Actual Salt Lake forward of the worldwide break, whereas they picked up one other pink card in that stalemate.

San Diego have obtained 4 pink playing cards of their final 4 video games in all competitions, successful simply a type of matches (D2 L1).

When requested if he knew the rationale for the pink playing cards, San Diego boss Mikey Varas stated: “Sure, transitions.

“It’s giving the ball away once we don’t want to present the ball away, not ending with a powerful motion on objective.

“We gave up method too many lengthy transitions. And once you do this, it’s a coin toss. What’s going to occur?”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes – Beau Leroux

Beau Leroux scored his sixth profession MLS objective on March 21, the winner in opposition to the Vancouver Whitecaps, from outdoors the field.

5 of Leroux’s six profession MLS objectives have been scored from outdoors the penalty space as solely Lionel Messi (11), Evander (10) and Philip Zinckernagel (six) have extra since Leroux’s MLS debut final season.

San Diego – Anders Dreyer

Anders Dreyer scored his twenty second profession MLS objective in San Diego FC’s final match to associate with 21 assists in 39 profession MLS video games.

Of gamers to seem in at the very least 30 MLS matches, Dreyer’s 1.13 objective contributions per 90 minutes ranks third behind solely Lionel Messi (1.79) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (1.30).

MATCH PREDICTION – SAN DIEGO FC WIN

San Diego are unbeaten in 12 straight regular-season away matches (W10 D2) relationship again to the start of June 2025, equalling the longest streak in MLS historical past, a mark set by FC Dallas from Might-September 2010.

San Jose, in the meantime, have 12 factors by means of 5 matches of a season for the second time in membership historical past after doing so of their Supporters’ Protect-winning 2012 marketing campaign.

The visiting aspect gained each conferences between San Jose and San Diego, with the Earthquakes posting a 1-0 win at San Diego in September after San Diego gained 2-1 at San Jose in August.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes – 32%

Draw – 25.4%

San Diego – 42.6%