Many things in life are beyond one’s control. For the San Jose Earthquakes, making the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs is not one of them.
With three matches remaining, including two at home, the Quakes are in the driver’s seat to punch their ticket to the postseason for the second time in three years. But it won’t come easy.
San Jose hosts the Philadelphia Union and Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday and Sunday, respectively, before wrapping up the season next weekend in Portland. Currently sitting in the seventh and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, the Quakes will certainly need to add to their point total over the final three matches to earn their spot.
Only one team in the West has been officially eliminated – Vancouver – while Colorado, Houston and Kansas City are down but not out. It’s generally expected by most than San Jose, Portland and FC Dallas will fight for the six and seven seeds, with one team narrowly missing out as No. 8. Dallas is a point up on the two West Coast clubs but has played one more match to date.
The Quakes currently enjoy the tiebreaker over the others, holding a win advantage over Dallas (13 to 12) and a goals advantage over the Timbers (50 to 45). This could prove important as the season comes to a close.
Wednesday’s match vs. Philadelphia just got that much harder with the team’s leading scorer (Chris Wondolowski) and leading assister (Cristian Espinoza), as well as head coach Matias Almeyda, all suspended stemming from Saturday’s match in Atlanta. Players such as Andy Rios, Danny Hoesen, Carlos Fierro and Shea Salinas will likely be called on to carry the weight in their absence.
Should the Earthquakes continue their dominance at home, where they’ve gone 10-0-2 in their last 12, they could head into Portland’s match with as many as 50 points. No team has missed the postseason while earning at least 50 points since 2013.
FC Dallas has two matches remaining: at Colorado (9/29) and vs. Sporting (10/6). Colorado has won four of their last five and four consecutive at home since the start of August. If the Quakes win on Wednesday and Dallas loses on Sunday, San Jose would need just a draw against Seattle to earn their spot.
Portland’s three remaining opponents are vs. NE (9/25), at SKC (9/29) and vs. SJ (10/6). The Quakes-Timbers matchup on Decision Day is arguably the most compelling match of the day and could have significant meaning, but there’s a lot to be done beforehand.
Wednesday’s match kicks off at 7:45 p.m. and will be broadcast live on NBC Sports California Plus, KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF. Tickets are available here.
