Earthquakes, Rapids Clash Amid Grueling MLS Stretch
As MLS teams begin one of the most demanding stretches of the season, the San Jose Earthquakes and Colorado Rapids will square off Saturday night in Commerce City, Colo., each looking to gain an edge before fixture congestion ramps up further. With six matches on deck through the end of May, and the league’s international break looming, every point becomes more valuable.
Both Clubs Balancing Depth and Momentum
The Earthquakes (4-6-1, 13 points) come into the weekend riding the momentum of back-to-back wins—a 4-1 rout of Portland in league play and a midweek U.S. Open Cup victory over Sacramento Republic. Notably, San Jose rotated their entire starting XI in the Cup match, a strategy designed to preserve legs for this packed stretch.
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“There’s going to be some players that have to be rotated… Tonight helps us guys get some minutes in.”
— Bruce Arena, Earthquakes Manager
Cristian Arango leads the team with seven goals, followed closely by Josef Martinez, who sat out last weekend with a minor injury. Newcomer DeJuan Jones also made an impact with his first two assists since arriving from Columbus.
Despite their record, San Jose tops MLS with 24 goals scored—an explosive attack that gives them an edge in MLS predictions and betting angles.
Rapids Need Defensive Answers
Colorado (4-3-4, 16 points) has been solid offensively, but defensive inconsistency continues to plague them. The Rapids have given up multiple goals in four of their last five matches, including a 2-1 loss at D.C. United that stretched their winless run to three.
“They play with a lot of intensity… I think they’re playing with a lot of belief, and they’re hard to play against.”
— Chris Armas, Rapids Head Coach on San Jose
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Rafael Navarro and Djordje Mihailovic have each netted five goals this season, offering a consistent scoring punch. But if Colorado hopes to make noise in this tight Western Conference, shoring up the backline will be a top priority—especially against the league’s highest-scoring offense.