The San Jose Earthquakes face a challenging yet pivotal match against Austin FC on Saturday night at PayPal Park, as they conclude their regular season. While a win could keep their playoff hopes alive, head coach Bruce Arena expressed that a satisfactory season for him hinges on making the playoffs and securing at least one playoff victory.
The Earthquakes currently sit in 11th place within the Western Conference standings and require not only a victory against sixth-place Austin FC but also a combination of favorable results from other teams. To clinch the No. 9 seed and a playoff berth, San Jose will need two of the following outcomes: a loss for FC Dallas against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, a loss for Real Salt Lake against St. Louis City FC, or a loss or draw for the Colorado Rapids against Los Angeles FC. Should all these conditions be met, the Quakes would advance to the No. 8 spot and host a wild-card match next Wednesday.
Team captain Cristian Espinoza expressed optimism about the opportunity to make a late playoff push while acknowledging that expectations have risen. He emphasized the importance of aiming for a playoff spot, especially considering the team’s lengthy absence from playoff success since their last win in 2010. Arena and Espinoza both reinforced the idea that they will focus solely on their performance rather than monitoring the scoreboard for other games, with forward Chicho Arango likening the moment to a final match requiring disciplined emotion management.
Adding to the context is the Quakes’ previous encounter with Austin FC, who eliminated them from the U.S. Open Cup earlier this season at PayPal Park, an experience Espinoza recalls vividly. He suffered an injury during that match, which has since faded from his mind as the team prepares for this critical showdown.
Reflecting on the season overall, Arena noted that while there has been progress from last year’s disappointing campaign, which saw the team finish at the bottom of the standings, missing the playoffs would still be seen as a setback given the investment in the squad, including the acquisitions of Josef Martinez and Chicho Arango. The Earthquakes currently hold 38 points with ten wins, a notable improvement from last season’s total of 21 points.
Arena concluded by acknowledging the need for greater consistency in the team’s performance as they evolve and grow, hinting at the potential for future successes. With the weight of significant expectations resting on Saturday’s match, the Earthquakes aim to finish the season strong and make a serious push for the playoffs.