San Jose Earthquakes Face Must-Win Match Against Austin FC

San Jose, California – The San Jose Earthquakes are set to host Austin FC in a critical Major League Soccer match on Sunday at PayPal Park. With playoff hopes on the line, the Earthquakes must secure a victory to have a chance at postseason play in their final game of the MLS regular season.

Austin FC, having already claimed their playoff spot, enters the match with less pressure. However, San Jose trails by just two points and is striving for a win following a disappointing 4-1 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps on October 5.

In that match, San Jose’s recent struggles continued, as they fell behind after goals from Rayan Elloumi and Sebastian Berhalter of Vancouver. They managed to pull one back late in the game through Beau Leroux but could not close the gap. This loss marked their second setback in a row.

Despite their recent form, San Jose has shown resilience, ending a three-match losing streak earlier in September with a 1-0 victory over San Diego FC, thanks to a goal from Josef Martinez.

San Jose sits 11th in the Western Conference, with 38 points, while Austin is in sixth place with 47 points. The Earthquakes have failed to win against Austin in their last eight encounters, with three losses and five draws since their last victory in October 2021.

Austin FC comes into this match with a recent victory over Los Angeles FC, where they won 1-0 thanks to a late goal. However, they suffered defeats in their last three matches prior to that win, which included losses in both MLS and the US Open Cup.

San Jose will miss key defender DeJuan Jones due to injury, as he has been sidelined since August. Austin FC also has their challenges, featuring an absence of forward options for this match, with doubts lingering over veteran Diego Rubio.

San Jose aims to capitalize on their home advantage. Coach Arena expressed optimism, stating that his team will fight hard to secure the win they need. The match will kick off at 10:30 a.m. PST on Sunday, making it a must-watch for Earthquakes fans eager for a playoff spot.