Anybody know how the Richter scale works? Me neither, but it looks like the Loons are getting ready for something seismic this Saturday at PayPal Park. San Jose may have won the Wooden Spoon last season, but with the Earthquakes currently at the top of the Western Conference standings, Minnesota’s going to have to be diligent about holding its ground. Both clubs are fresh off a victory, meaning this weekend will be all about who can capitalize on that momentum.
Run of Form
Minnesota United FC (1-1-0)
Run of Form: W-L
The Boys in Black and Blue broke Minnesota’s streak of home opener losses with a victory against Montréal on March 1 and now look to bring that energy with them on the road. As the team finds its groove in Coach Ramsay’s preferred 5-3-2 system, the defense has been disciplined and organized, allowing the team to engineer some flashes of opportunity going forward. As the boys really settle in, we can expect to see plenty of dynamic play, especially on the counter, but converting chances efficiently and consistently will be the last piece of the puzzle.
San Jose Earthquakes (2-0-0)
Run of Form: W-W
Between a new manager and an influx of high-potential signings, the 2025 version of San Jose is barely recognizable. Head coach Bruce Arena currently holds the league record for regular season wins at 264 and was able to pull a trio of former Revs across the country with him, as the Quakes acquired midfielders Ian Harkes and Mark-Anthony Kaye plus center back Dave Romney to bring some pre-existing chemistry to the field. Add a pair of aces to the mix up top, and things are looking up for the Californian club, with a lot of single-digit standing predictions from MLS armchair analysts and a 4-0 shutout on Matchday 1 against Chicho Arango’s former team. Do the goals go where Chicho goes? So far, all signs point to yes.
Keys to the Match:
Convert from the Get-Go
Again, it’s all about momentum, and the best way to secure it is an early goal. The Loons have been great about creating opportunities but have been disappointed in their ability to convert those chances through the first two contests, falling short of their 1.6 xG against LAFC and 2 against Montréal. Let’s break it down even more: MNUFC had nine first-half shots in their first match of the season and seven on Matchday 2. Had any of those early attempts hit the back of the net, Minnesota could have racked up a few more subsequent goals building on that energy. Hopefully Kelvin Yeboah’s 69th minute tap-in against Montréal is the spark the squad needs to relax a little bit, play freely, and capture some early momentum in San Jose.
Wing It
So far, Minnesota has intentionally focused on a strong counter and put a threatening build-up on the back burner. Getting the edge against San Jose might mean the wingbacks in Ramsay’s 5-3-2 lean a bit more toward the midfield, comparable to the 3-5-2 the Quakes have been playing so far. It’s a thin line to walk, however, especially playing on the road. Finding the balance between getting numbers forward and maintaining the solid defensive play we’ve gotten used to seeing will start in the wide areas this weekend. If the Loons can start strong with a flexible player like Bongokuhle Hlongwane opting more for the offense while a more defensive-minded Anthony Markanich sticks to the backline, the boys should be able to close in on some points. Wingback play might be the difference between the Loons playing on shaky ground and simply flying over it.
Defensive Depth
San Jose hasn’t pulled a victory over MNUFC since 2022, but the Loons need to approach this club like the entirely new threat that it is. Complacency is not an option with Josef MartÃnez and Chicho, both top scorers for their 2024 clubs, leading the front line. Minnesota’s five-man backline has been tight this season and managed to contain LAFC’s Denis Bouanga, but the strategy is flexible here. With Chicho and MartÃnez posing a potent central threat, spacing on the backline might shift to accommodate a very specific defense, or those flexible wingers could fall back to really lay down the law alongside the solid Duggan-Boxall-Harvey trio. Regardless, San Jose’s attack should have their work cut out for them this weekend when the Loons land in California once again.
