Additional reading on some tips for San Jose and what is it like at Paypal Park
After a week off due to the international break, San Diego FC returns to action with a significant road test against the San Jose Earthquakes. San Diego enters this fixture following back-to-back draws in league play, having recently navigated a dense stretch of seven matches within a single month. In contrast, San Jose has kicked off the season in impressive form with a 4-0-1 record. This hot start is particularly notable because the Earthquakes made several questionable roster decisions during the winter transfer window.
The San Jose Off-Season and Roster Turnover
The Earthquakes’ winter moves were characterized by the departure of three key offensive contributors who collectively accounted for 44 goal contributions in league play last season. Most notably, the club failed to activate the contract option for Cristian Espinoza, allowing a player who recorded 4 goals and 8 assists last year to enter free agency. Espinoza was a cornerstone of their attack, ranking fourth in MLS with 272 progressive passes. Over his seven-year tenure in San Jose, he amassed 38 goals and 67 assists. He has since signed with Nashville SC, where he has already produced 2 goals and 2 assists in his first five matches.
The roster overhaul continued with the departure of Josef Martinez, who contributed 14 goals and 2 assists last season. Furthermore, Cristian Arango was sent out on loan despite a productive year featuring 13 goals and 3 assists. San Jose now relies on internal growth and new additions to fill this massive statistical void.
Players Stepping Into the Spotlight
Preston Judd is one of the primary candidates expected to carry the scoring load. A former LA Galaxy II standout with 30 goals in that system, Judd earned more responsibility in 2025, starting 12 matches and recording 7 goals and 3 assists over 1,200 minutes. This season, he has already scored twice and performs well in advanced metrics; his 1.77 Net Goals added is nearly identical to Anders Dreyer’s 1.78, and his 2.61 xGoals ranks him 12th in the league. Judd clearly has an eye for the back of the net.
To replace Espinoza’s creative output, San Jose is leaning on homegrown talent Niko Tsakiris. Tsakiris currently leads all of MLS with 54 crosses—a major factor in San Jose leading the league as a team with 138. He is also tied for fourth in progressive passes with 40, ranks 12th in final third completed passes, and is second in the league in key passes with 14. So far, Tsakiris has successfully emulated the role Espinoza used to play for the club.
The most intriguing addition is German international Timo Werner, a speedy forward known for stretching backlines. Werner arrived in MLS following a high-profile career in Europe, including a prolific stint at RB Leipzig where he scored 113 goals and provided 40 assists across seven seasons. However, his recent form has been inconsistent. During a difficult loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur, he managed only 3 goals and 6 assists in a year and a half. His performance was publicly addressed by Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou, who stated: “I think when you’ve got 18-year-olds, it’s not acceptable to me…..I said that to Timo, he’s a senior international, a Germany international. In the moment we’re in right now, it’s not like we’ve got many, kind of, options”. After being phased out of the squad in London and being unwanted upon his return to Leipzig, Werner now looks to revitalize his career as a focal point of the San Jose attack.
Tactical Outlook and Match Readiness
San Diego FC faces a daunting task in breaking down a defense that has conceded only one goal all season. San Jose’s goalkeeper, Daniel, has maintained a 93.3 save percentage by stopping 14 of the 15 shots on target he has faced. While the Earthquakes have faced a league-low 15 shots on target, they will be tested by an SDFC squad that ranks among the league’s best in shot on target percentage.
Defensively, San Jose relies on heavy clearance numbers, ranking 8th in the league with 132. Benji Kikanovic is tied for second among all fullbacks with 19 recoveries. However, the Earthquakes will be without fullback DeJuan Jones as he recovers from Achilles surgery. San Diego should be expecting Vitor Costa, who subbed in for Jones in their last match against Vancouver Whitecaps, to play Left-Back.
San Diego will have most of their players back from break with one exception. Chris McVey is unavailable due to a red card received against Real Salt Lake. This clears the way for Osvald Søe to take the reins at center back. There is also some uncertainty surrounding the availability of Anders Dreyer, who recently played for the Danish National Team in a penalty shootout loss to Czechia. Dreyer was the hero in the last meeting between these two clubs in San Jose, scoring the second goal to secure the win, making his fitness a key storyline leading up to kickoff.
Leave a Reply