Closing the Gap
San Jose holds an 11-7-4 record this season and sits in fourth place in the Western Conference, level on points with third-place LA Galaxy and just one point behind second-place Seattle Sounders FC.
Hard to Beat
The Earthquakes are now 10-2-4 in their last 16 MLS regular season matches. The club is 6-1-0 in their last seven matches and 4-0-0 in their last four.
A Rare Feat
The Quakes have won four consecutive matches for just the second time since 2005 (August 2015). A win over Columbus this Saturday would give San Jose just its second five-game winning streak in club history (2005).
The Return of Avaya Fortress
The Earthquakes have a home unbeaten streak of nine matches dating back to April 6 (8-0-1). San Jose has outscored opponents 23-5 in that span, earning six victories by multiple goals and recording five shutouts. It marks their longest home unbeaten streak in a single season since 2013 (16 matches – 11-0-5).
Goals Galore
The Quakes have earned 3-1 victories in each of their last three matches. It marked the first time in club history that the team has scored 3+ goals in three straight games. It also marked the first time San Jose has tallied 9+ goals over a three-game span since 2012 (9; 9/29/12-10/21/12).
Smashing Records
San Jose has taken 377 shots so far this season, tied for second most by any team in MLS history before the end of July. The Earthquakes hold the MLS record for most shots in two straight games (64; 7/12/19-7/20/19), three straight games (91; 7/12/19-7/27/19), four straight games (103; 7/3/19-7/20/19) and five straight games (128; 6/29/19-7/20/19), among others.
Taking an Early Lead
Saturday’s own goal conceded by the Colorado Rapids in one minute and 11 seconds set a new record for fastest Earthquakes goal at Avaya Stadium.
MLS Legend
Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski currently holds the following MLS records: regular season goals (153); goals for one club (149); goals on the road (71); game-winning goals (43); goals in 1-0 victories (14); and consecutive seasons with 10+ goals (9).
Vako’s Resurgence
Earthquakes midfielder Vako has tallied six goals and two assists in the last seven matches. He has scored in each of the last three games, including the game-winner on Saturday vs. Colorado. Vako is one of just three players in MLS to score 3+ goals in both June and July (Josef Martinez, Heber). He has been selected to the MLS Team of the Week four times in the last five weeks.
Share the Wealth
Vako, Chris Wondolowski and Danny Hoesen each have three game-winning goals so far this season. Only one other team even has two players with 3+ game-winning goals apiece (LAFC; Carlos Vela, Adama Diomande).
Important Addition
First-year midfielder Cristian Espinoza has five game-winning assists in 2019, tied for the most in MLS (Carlos Vela, Diego Valeri). His nine assists this season rank tied for fourth in MLS. He needs just one more assist to be the first Quakes player with 10+ in a single season since 2012 (Marvin Chavez – 13).
Road Warriors
The Quakes have won consecutive road games (7/12 at LA; 7/20 at VAN) for the first time since 2005. San Jose’s most recent five road matches (3-1-1) is the best five-match stretch away from home since 2012 (3-1-1; 8/18/19-10/27/19).
Keeping Possession
The Earthquakes have held 57.89% of the possession in their matches while completing 84.24% of their passes. Both marks rank second in MLS.
