The Philadelphia Union will go in search of a fifth successive MLS victory when they face the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park this weekend.
Not only have Philly won each of their last four league games, but they have also won seven of their previous eight, scoring at least three goals on four occasions while keeping five clean sheets.
Following three straight wins over Toronto FC, New York Red Bulls and Colorado Rapids, the Union played out a goalless draw with DC United before defeating the New England Revolution, New York City, Charlotte FC and CF Montreal.
As a result, Jim Curtin’s men find themselves third in the Eastern Conference, while only FC Cincinnati and Nashville SC have picked up more points than Philadelphia across the entire league in 2023.
Argentine striker Julian Carranza has led from the front this season, bagging 11 goals and six assists in all competitions, while Hungarian playmaker Daniel Gazdag has contributed 10 goals and five assists. At the opposite end of the pitch, Jamaican goalkeeper Andre Blake has kept seven clean sheets in 14 league outings.
On the flip side, it would not be unfair to say that San Jose have experienced an inconsistent campaign up to now, recording six wins, five draws and five losses, although Luchi Gonzalez’s men remain fifth in the Western Conference.
Following a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas, the Earthquakes claimed a 1-0 victory at the Seattle Sounders before playing out a goalless draw with Colorado last weekend, meaning the Californians head into this weekend’s clash on a three-game unbeaten run.
Better still, San Jose remain unbeaten at PayPal Park this season, having chalked up five wins and two draws on home soil, so they will be confident of halting Philly’s winning streak.
Cristian Espinoza has been the Quakes’ standout performer this year, racking up eight goals and three assists in all competitions.
It is worth noting, however, that San Jose have failed to win any of their last seven Major League Soccer meetings with the Union, suffering four defeats along the way. Former Portland Timbers striker Jeremy Ebobisse has also been in decent goalscoring form, netting six league goals in 2023.
When you look at the bigger picture, the Earthquakes have managed to win just two of their previous 11 league encounters with Philadelphia, although those victories came all the way back in 2012 and 2013.
San Jose will be without Brazilian defender Nathan (ACL) and Carlos Akapo (hamstring) this weekend. On a brighter note, Cade Cowell and Niko Tsakiris are in line to return following the United States’ exit from the U20 World Cup.
Philadelphia, on the other hand, have reported no fresh injury problems, although there are still question marks over the fitness of Alejandro Bedoya (quad) and Damion Lowe (knee).
Fans of Major League Soccer in the UK can catch all the action on Apple TV.
Expert Insight: Philadelphia will be confident of extending their winning streak to five games, but the Earthquakes are more than capable of preventing that from happening. Given that San Jose remain unbeaten on home soil this year, the PayPal Park crowd should witness a tight encounter this weekend.
Major League Soccer