DC United vs San Jose Earthquakes

DC United and San Jose Earthquakes will need all hands on deck if they’re to bolster their chances of qualifying for the Major League Soccer playoffs ahead of their high-stakes encounter at Audi Field.

A place in the Eastern Conference playoffs is on the line for DC United, who, after halting a three-game losing MLS run with a 4-0 home romping of Chicago Fire last time out, came into proceedings as the final playoff resident. But with a single point separating them from their closest followers at the start of this round, Wayne Rooney’s side must not rest on their laurels, especially knowing they haven’t won back-to-back home league games in 2023. In fact, DC United’s form variations on home soil have seen their last ten MLS outings at Audi Field alternate between different outcomes (W4, D3, L3). Therefore, it’s barely a surprise that the hosts lament the fourth-worst home record in the Eastern Conference (W5, D4, L7).

On the other hand, San Jose’s form trajectory has been on a downward spiral in the build-up to this trip, with the visitors going from back-to-back MLS victories to three straight matches without winning (D1, L2). It’s also worth noting that their porous backline conceded precisely three goals in both losses during that sequence, casting significant doubt on San Jose’s bid to hold DC United at bay after five H2Hs without a clean sheet. Like their hosts, the ‘Quakes’ find themselves in a precarious spot ahead of this matchday, hanging just three points clear of 10th-placed Austin FC in the Western Conference. Venturing outside PayPal Park won’t inspire much confidence in manager Luchi Gonzalez’s corner, considering his men have only won twice on 13 MLS travels this term (D4, L7).