FC Cincinnati (6-6-5, 23 pts.) are looking to put a bad performance in Columbus in the rear view mirror this weekend against a revitalized San Jose Earthquakes team. This is the final match in league play before the Leagues Cup starts in earnest, even though San Jose (10-4-3, 33 pts.) will not compete in the tournament.
Both teams will be looking for the three points, but for totally separate reasons. San Jose could go top of the West with a win and the right results. For FCC, they need the win to put some distance between them and teams just outside the playoff spots in the East.
San Jose returns to TQL Stadium, the scene of FC Cincinnati’s biggest home MLS win and the Quakes’ worst away loss to date. The Orange & Blue rode a hat trick from Brenner to defeat San Jose 6-0 in September of 2022.
The Quakes
After a blistering start to the season—nine wins in their first ten matches—San Jose has started to cool off. In their last seven matches, the Earthquakes have managed one win and three draws.
Part of the reason San Jose aren’t picking up as many wins recently is the steep drop in goal production. In their first ten matches, the Earthquakes scored 25 goals, but in their last seven matches, they have only managed ten.
Despite the slowdown in goal production, the Quakes still pose to be a very dangerous team. Once a bench threat at best, striker Preston Judd is enjoying an incredible breakout season. Prior to this season, Judd had only scored 10 goals in MLS in 80 appearances. However, the former LA Galaxy talent has already scored 11 goals in just 16 appearances. Judd’s performances have led to a recently-announced contract extension to keep him through the 2028-29 season.
While FC Cincinnati have been recent road warriors in MLS play, San Jose might be coming for the “away-result” crown this season. While the Quakes have played in eight matches away from home, they have won six, drawn once, and have lost only once. Only Inter Miami has more road points (25) than San Jose (19).
Despite unloading much of their attacking talent from 2025, San Jose have also made some big additions to the squad. Their big salsa signing in January brought in forward Timo Werner as a DP signing from RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga. After the World Cup, the Quakes added goalkeeper Angus Gunn. While Gunn was out of contract, he started all three matches for Scotland in the World Cup.
San Jose also recently signed Luka Jovanovic from the Australian A-League as a U-22 initiative. As an Adelaide United star, Jovanovic shared the A-League Golden Boot last season. With the addition of Gunn and Jovanovic, the Earthquakes could find their form from early in the season.
The Quakes will likely be without their breakout midfield talent Niko Tsakiris. San Jose’s #10 leads the team with four assists, but has not played since receiving a lower-leg injury in May. Striker Nonso Adimabua is also likely out with a muscle injury, and defender DeJuan Jones is out for the season with an Achilles injury.
The Orange & Blue
FC Cincinnati will be looking for answers after a poor showing in the capital city last Saturday night. After taking an early lead on a well-worked goal by Kevin Denkey, FCC never seemed to find their footing again, conceding two goals right before the half in a 2-1 loss to Columbus.
Saturday’s loss was the first time FCC had been held to under two goals since a 1-1 draw against Toronto in April. Cincinnati have only been held to one goal or less five times in 17 matches, an unorthodox result this season.
FCC will be out a few players in this match as well. Center back Matt Miazga picked up his fifth yellow card and will miss this match due to an accumulation suspension. Gerardo Valenzuela will also miss the next two MLS matches due to his red card at the end of the Columbus match.
The biggest question mark for this match will be the defense’s inability to keep out goals. The record for most goals conceded in a single season was set by San Jose with a dismal 76 goals in 2024. FC Cincinnati have given up 42 this season and are on pace to beat that record, holding their opponents to just one goal or fewer three times in 17 matches.
Players to watch
For San Jose, it’s going have to be Judd. The breakout star is in the heart of the Golden Boot race, tied for fifth and a mere two goals from the top spot. He will be looking to add more goals against the second-worst defense in MLS. Judd missed San Jose’s last match against LA Galaxy due to yellow-card accumulation and will be rested and ready to go.
For FC Cincinnati, Obinna Nwobodo will need to pull more weight with Miazga out to help out the backline. If the midfield can get more control and shut down the San Jose midfield, it will put a lot less strain on a backline missing an essential starter. Valenzuela’s additional time off will also require Obi to communicate better with Dado’s replacement.
Match Info:
WHERE: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
WHEN: Saturday, August 1st, 7:30 PM
WATCH: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+
LISTEN: ESPN 1530 iHeart Radio w/ Tommy Gelehrter and Kevin McCloskey
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