MATCH PREVIEW: Earthquakes close out homestand against Timbers on Saturday

Celebration vs. LAFC 16 x 9

The San Jose Earthquakes will return to PayPal Park on Saturday to host the Portland Timbers as they aim to extend their unbeaten streak to six league matches. 

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast globally via Apple TV (English/Spanish), as well as local radio on KSFO 810 AM (English) and La Kaliente 1370 AM (Spanish). The match, which will celebrate EA SPORTS FC Night, is presented by CEFCU. 

The Quakes are coming off a dramatic finish in their PRIME TIME matchup against LAFC at Levi’s Stadium last Saturday, with San Jose earning a draw after erasing a 2-0 second-half deficit thanks to a Preston Judd and a stunning strike by center back Reid Roberts in stoppage time. 

The San Jose center backs and their ability to score goals has developed into quite a story. Roberts (3) and All-Star counterpart Daniel Munie (5) have combined for eight goals—a new club record for a center-half duo. In addition, the midfield is heating up, with Niko Tsakiris (five goal contributions in his last four games) and Beau Leroux (four in four) spearheading the attack. Now they face a Portland side that is sitting in postseason position but has lost two games in a row against FC Dallas and Atlanta United. 

Portland enters the match at ninth place in the Western Conference with a record of 9-12-5 and sitting just one point above the playoff line. The Timbers’ attack is loaded with threats and is led by Norwegian winger Kristoffer Velde (8g/9a) and leading scorer Kevin Kelsy (9g/4a). Dutch star Vincent Janssen joined the Timbers in late July and burst onto the scene on Sept. 5 against Minnesota United, netting the first hat trick in club history.  

San Jose’s most recent meeting with the Timbers was their final match leading into the World Cup break on May 23, with the Quakes marching into Providence Park and winning 3-1—their first-ever league victory there in 20 tries. Preston Judd netted two early goals with the aforementioned Munie rounding out the scoring. 

This final September match is a critical one for the Quakes as they enter the regular-season home stretch. Can they keep their recent momentum going against a familiar West Coast foe?