San Jose Earthquakes head coach Bruce Arena hailed his side's defensive efforts amid their positive start to the 2026 MLS season.

The Earthquakes have won four of their five games to start the campaign (L1), leaving them third in the Western Conference and one point ahead of San Diego FC, who they host next.

San Jose have kept a clean sheet in each of their four victories this term, while they conceded just once in their loss to the Seattle Sounders.

The one goal San Jose has allowed this season is their fewest at this stage of a campaign.

Arena praised the work rate of the whole team following their strong start, while he also laid out their goals for the 2026 campaign.

"This year, we already have four shutouts, which is a real positive," Arena said.

"That improvement isn’t just down to the back line and the goalkeeper. It’s a credit to the entire team.

"Our focus is on continuing to improve and pushing to qualify for the playoffs. That’s our goal this season."

San Diego drew 2-2 with Real Salt Lake ahead of the international break, while they picked up another red card in that stalemate.

San Diego have received four red cards in their last four games in all competitions, winning just one of those matches (D2 L1).

When asked if he knew the reason for the red cards, San Diego boss Mikey Varas said: "Yes, transitions. 

"It's giving the ball away when we don't need to give the ball away, not finishing with a strong action on goal.

"We gave up way too many long transitions. And when you do that, it's a coin toss. What's going to happen?"

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes – Beau Leroux

Beau Leroux scored his sixth career MLS goal on March 21, the winner against the Vancouver Whitecaps, from outside the box.

Five of Leroux’s six career MLS goals have been scored from outside the penalty area as only Lionel Messi (11), Evander (10) and Philip Zinckernagel (six) have more since Leroux’s MLS debut last season.

San Diego – Anders Dreyer

Anders Dreyer scored his 22nd career MLS goal in San Diego FC’s last match to go along with 21 assists in 39 career MLS games.

Of players to appear in at least 30 MLS matches, Dreyer’s 1.13 goal contributions per 90 minutes ranks third behind only Lionel Messi (1.79) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (1.30).

MATCH PREDICTION – SAN DIEGO FC WIN

San Diego are unbeaten in 12 straight regular-season away matches (W10 D2) dating back to the beginning of June 2025, equalling the longest streak in MLS history, a mark set by FC Dallas from May-September 2010.

San Jose, meanwhile, have 12 points through five matches of a season for the second time in club history after doing so in their Supporters’ Shield-winning 2012 campaign.

The visiting side won both meetings between San Jose and San Diego, with the Earthquakes posting a 1-0 win at San Diego in September after San Diego won 2-1 at San Jose in August.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes – 32%

Draw – 25.4%

San Diego – 42.6%