New York City vs San Jose Earthquakes

High-flying New York City FC will be looking to maintain their Major League Soccer purple patch when they take on out-of-form San Jose Earthquakes at Yankee Stadium.

Since Colorado Rapids stunned Yankee Stadium 2-0 in early May, New York’s form has taken an upward trajectory, resulting in the club’s surge in the Eastern Conference. Four consecutive league victories have lifted Nick Cushing’s men to 3rd in the table, but there’s still no room for complacency. All four wins have come by a single-goal margin, testifying to a lack of conviction in their performances. However, they’ve established consistency on their home ground, racking up four wins across their last five MLS fixtures at Yankee Stadium (L1), all of which saw them score precisely two goals. Another free-scoring showing could be in store, considering the Pigeons have netted 2+ goals in all four historic home MLS H2H meetings with San Jose (W4).

Meanwhile, a match against Colorado Rapids was a breaking point for San Jose, as they’ve gone winless in three successive MLS matches (D1, L2) since dispatching the Rapids 3-2 earlier in May. Stuck joint-bottom of the Western Conference, the visitors lament an underwhelming win ratio of only 20% across the opening 15 matchdays (W3, D2, L10), largely thanks to their significant defensive woes. Luchi Gonzalez’s men have conceded an average of 2.26 goals per game this season, and with a total of 34, they’re the worst defensive side in the West. San Jose’s vulnerabilities have come to the fore on their travels. The Quakes have allowed a dismal average of 2.62 goals across eight MLS away matches this term (W1, D1, L6).