Major League Soccer · Matchday 34 
Our pick Home win Correct result
Can Minnesota United trouble third-placed San Jose?
San Jose Earthquakes arrive in third place, but Minnesota United are unbeaten in six and won the latest meeting 5-1. The visitors’ league position makes them favourites on paper; Minnesota’s recent form gives them reason to believe.
📍 Allianz Field
Preview written:
All Matchday 34 matches Full head-to-head
Match report
Final result: Minnesota United FC 3-1 San Jose Earthquakes.
Match statistics (home team first). Shots: 14–8; Shots on target: 6–3; Corners: 8–2; Expected goals: 1.15–1.23.
Goals
- 45' Preston Judd · N.Tsakiris · San Jose Earthquakes
- 57' Tomás Chancalay · Joaquín Pereyra · Minnesota United FC
- 82' Angus Gunn (o.g.) · Minnesota United FC
- 90+4' Nectarios Triantis · Morris Duggan · Minnesota United FC
Cards
- 46' Ronaldo Vieira · San Jose Earthquakes
- 53' Owen Gene · Minnesota United FC
- 59' Morris Duggan · Minnesota United FC
- 67' Jamar Ricketts · San Jose Earthquakes
- 69' Preston Judd · San Jose Earthquakes
- 86' Tomás Chancalay · Minnesota United FC
Match stats
⭐ Top-rated player: N. Triantis (Minnesota United FC) 7.9
Ratings and statistics: API-Football.
Confirmed lineups
Minnesota United FC · 4-4-2
- 12D. CallenderG
- 52Cherrion ValeriusD
- 28J. DíazD
- 23M. DugganD
- 13A. MarkanichD
- 8T. ChancalayM
- 30O. GeneM
- 25N. TriantisM
- 18M. GonzalezM
- 26J. PereyraF
- 9K. YeboahF
Coach: C. Knowles
San Jose Earthquakes · 3-4-2-1
- 1A. GunnG
- 5D. MunieD
- 28B. KikanovicD
- 18R. RobertsD
- 10N. TsakirisM
- 14R. VieiraM
- 23E. LöwenM
- 2J. RickettsM
- 7O. BoudaM
- 11T. WernerM
- 19P. JuddF
Coach: B. Arena
Match facts
Recent form
Last 5 league games, latest on the right
Goals per game
| · | Scored | Conceded |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota United FC | 1.6 | 1.7 |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 1.7 | 1.5 |
League position
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | San Jose Earthquakes | 33 | +8 | 52 |
| 12 | Minnesota United FC | 33 | -4 | 41 |
Last meetings
- 2026 San Jose Earthquakes 1-5 Minnesota United FC
- 2026 San Jose Earthquakes 4-2 Minnesota United FC
- 2025 Minnesota United FC 4-1 San Jose Earthquakes
- 2025 San Jose Earthquakes 0-1 Minnesota United FC
- 2024 San Jose Earthquakes 1-2 Minnesota United FC
PreviaXI model
Model confidence: Open game
- Expected goals (model)
- 1.80 – 1.54
- Double chance
- 12 · 77%1X 67% · X2 56%
- Over 2.5 goals
- 65%Over 1.5: 85% · Over 3.5: 43%
- Both teams score
- 66%
- Clean sheet
- 21% – 17%Minnesota United FC–San Jose Earthquakes
- Half-time result
- X · 37%1 35% · 2 28%
- Half-time / full-time
- 1/1 · 27%2/2 20% · X/1 14%
- Expected corners
- 10.85.4 – 5.4 · Over 9.5: 62%
- Expected cards
- 3.91.9 – 2.0 · Over 3.5: 56%
Statistical model based on expected goals (xG), results and match statistics from the last two seasons. For information only. How our model works →
A test for the Western Conference’s third place
San Jose Earthquakes travel to Allianz Field sitting third in the Western Conference with 52 points after 33 matches. Minnesota United FC are 12th on 41 points, an eleven-point and nine-place gap that puts the visitors in the stronger position on paper.
But the standings are only part of the story. Minnesota come into this final regular-season round unbeaten in six, while San Jose’s recent record is less convincing. The central question is whether Minnesota can turn that momentum into a result against a team with more wins and a stronger overall league record.
Minnesota’s momentum, San Jose’s mixed run
Minnesota have won their last two league matches and are unbeaten in six. Across their last five, they recorded three wins and two draws, scoring 11 goals and conceding six. Their home league record is more balanced: four wins, seven draws and five defeats in 16 matches.
San Jose also won their most recent league match, but their last five brought one win, three draws and a defeat. They scored six and conceded eight in that stretch. Their away record offers a stronger foundation, with seven wins, five draws and four defeats in 16 league games.
Recent meetings favour Minnesota
Minnesota have won four of the last five meetings in all competitions, with San Jose taking the other and no draws. The latest encounter, in August, was emphatic: Minnesota won 5-1 away from home. The teams also met in the US Open Cup in April, when San Jose won 4-2, so the recent history includes goals at both ends.
Two attacks with different recent rhythms
Minnesota’s 11 goals in their last five league matches make them a threat, particularly with the confidence of a six-match unbeaten run. San Jose have scored more across the league campaign overall, with 56 goals to Minnesota’s 53, and their away side has won seven of 16 matches.
The contrast is clear: Minnesota arrive in better recent form, while San Jose’s stronger league position and away record underline why they should not be underestimated.
Our prediction
San Jose’s season-long record makes this a serious test for Minnesota, but the home side’s unbeaten run and recent scoring form point to a close contest. PreviaXI’s model leans towards Minnesota, and a narrow home win looks plausible.
Minnesota United FC 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes
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