SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES vs. MINNESOTA UNITED FC
PayPal Park | San Jose, California
08.17.2021 | MLS Week No. 20 | MLS Game No. 19
9:30 p.m. CT (Bally Sports North+, SKOR North)

2021 Regular Season Records (W-L-D):
SJ: 5-7-7 (3-4-2 at home)
MIN: 7-6-5 (1-3-4 on the road)

Minnesota United’s five-game unbeaten streak came to an end on Saturday night against the LA Galaxy in a 1-0 loss at home. The Loons were stymied by goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann, who turned away seven shots — some dramatically — to preserve the clean sheet. But with their next game coming on Tuesday night, Minnesota have precious little time to dwell on the past. They travel to San Jose to face a Quakes team on an eight-game unbeaten streak that’s featured six draws. Against the Galaxy, MNUFC sorely missed the contributions of leading scorer Robin Lod, who missed the game with a calf injury. Minnesota have the fewest goals of any team above the playoff line, so with Lod and other scorers including Franco Fragapane and Niko Hansen likely out, the rest of the team will have to not only manufacture but finish chances if they hope to come out on top against San Jose.

THE OPPOSITION

For the last several years under Head Coach Matias Almeyda, the San Jose Earthquakes have been the definition of high variance. Almeyda’s demanding aggressive man-marking scheme yielded intoxicating results when it worked and crushing defeats when it failed. This season, Almeyda’s backed off the approach a bit, and while it hasn’t turned them into world-beaters, the Quakes are sitting on an eight-game unbeaten streak and knocking on the door of a playoff spot. With six of those eight games ending with draws, San Jose no doubt hope that the addition of Jeremy Ebobisse can lift the level of their scoring chances and triple their point return going forward.

ADRIAN HEATH ON SAN JOSE'S CURRENT RUN OF FORM:

“They have slightly changed the way they play a little bit, they are not as man-for-man all over the field and in some of the games they are playing five at the back and the five at the front just get after it. It’s a bit more of a hybrid [system] from where they were, but they will see it as a good opportunity to get in and around where we are as a league. They have had some good results of late, so it is going to be tough.” MORE

JUSTIN MCMASTER ON PREPARING FOR GETTING INTO THE GAME:

“Just always be ready. Pushing myself in training, pushing the other guys as well. In this sport you can get called up at any time. You always have to be mentally ready.” MORE

FIRST TOUCHES

• Minnesota United lost their first four games against the San Jose Earthquakes in 2017 and 2018 before winning their next four across the regular season and the MLS Is Back Tournament in 2019 and 2020. In 2021, the teams have met once, a 2-2 draw at Allianz Field on July 3. MORE