Venue: PayPal Park — San Jose, California
Kickoff: 7:30 PM PT / 10:30 PM ET
Surface: Natural grass
Capacity: 18,000
Venue Profile — PayPal Park
PayPal Park remains one of MLS’s most underrated home‑field advantages:
- Fast natural‑grass surface ideal for San Jose’s vertical, high‑tempo attack.
- Supporter wall behind the goal creates intense pressure on visiting defenses.
- Cool Bay Area evenings support high‑energy pressing.
- San Jose’s home form in 2026 has been top‑five in MLS.
Orlando historically struggles on West Coast trips.
Weather Forecast — San Jose, CA
- Temperature: 68–72°F
- Humidity: 45–55%
- Wind: 8–12 mph
- Conditions: Clear, breezy, fast pitch
- Impact: Ideal attacking conditions; wind may disrupt Orlando’s long diagonals.
Team Form & Statistical Profile
Orlando City SC (4‑9‑2)
Record: 4 wins, 9 losses, 2 draws Last 5 Matches: L‑L‑D‑W‑L Goals For: 16 Goals Against: 27 Home Record: 2‑4‑1
Team Identity
Possession‑leaning but inconsistent
Heavy reliance on Facundo Torres
Defensive instability
Struggle in transition defense
One of the weakest forms in MLS 2026
San Jose Earthquakes (10‑3‑2)
Record: 10 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses Last 5 Matches: W‑W‑D‑W‑L Goals For: 29 Goals Against: 18 Away Record: 4‑2‑1
Team Identity
High‑tempo attacking
Strong midfield control
Elite chance creation
Heavy reliance on Cristian Espinoza & Jeremy Ebobisse
One of the most balanced and efficient teams in MLS 2026
Injury Reports
Orlando City
Facundo Torres (FW): Day‑to‑day — calf
Duncan McGuire (FW): Out — hamstring
Robin Jansson (CB): Questionable — knee
Wilder Cartagena (DM): Out — ankle
Pedro Gallese (GK): Day‑to‑day — shoulder
San Jose Earthquakes
Jeremy Ebobisse (FW): Day‑to‑day — groin
Jackson Yueill (MF): Out — knee
Nathan (CB): Out — ACL recovery
Carlos Akapo (RB): Questionable — thigh
Daniel (GK): Day‑to‑day — back
San Jose’s injuries are notable, but Orlando’s defensive absences are more impactful.
Projected Starting Lineups
Orlando City SC (4‑2‑3‑1)
GK: Gallese*
DEF: Smith – Jansson* – Schlegel – Santos
MID: Araújo – Cartagena*
AM: Torres* – Ojeda – Angulo
FW: Enrique
(*If Torres sits, Ojeda moves central and Lynn starts wide)
San Jose Earthquakes (4‑3‑3)
GK: Daniel*
DEF: Akapo* – Rodrigues – Mensah – Trauco
MID: Gruezo – Monteiro – Yueill*
FWD: Espinoza – Ebobisse* – Kikanović
(*If Ebobisse sits, Kikanović moves central and Cowell starts wide)
Key Player vs Player Matchups
1. Facundo Torres (ORL) vs Rodrigues (SJ)
Torres is Orlando’s most dangerous attacker.
Rodrigues is San Jose’s most reliable CB
Torres thrives in half‑spaces
San Jose’s compact shape limits Torres’ influence
Edge: Rodrigues
2. Cristian Espinoza (SJ) vs Rafael Santos (ORL)
Espinoza’s pace vs Santos’ positioning.
Espinoza is San Jose’s most explosive winger
Santos struggles against elite dribblers
San Jose will target this matchup
Edge: Espinoza
3. Jeremy Ebobisse (SJ) vs Schlegel (ORL)
Ebobisse’s movement vs Schlegel’s physical defending.
Ebobisse excels in quick combinations
Schlegel struggles against fast attackers
San Jose’s buildup creates high‑value chances
Edge: Ebobisse — if fully fit.
Recent Team Trends
Orlando City
1‑3‑1 in last five
Scoring 1.0 goals per match
Conceding 1.8 goals per match
2‑4‑1 at home
Struggle against top‑half teams
San Jose Earthquakes
4‑0‑1 in last five
Scoring 2.0 goals per match
Conceding 1.0 goals per match
4‑2‑1 away
Elite attacking metrics
Series History
All‑time MLS meetings: San Jose leads 4‑3‑2
At Orlando: Orlando leads 2‑1‑1
Last 5 meetings: SJ 3‑1‑1
San Jose has won two straight vs Orlando
Betting Trends
Orlando home ML: 3‑7 in last 10
San Jose away ML: 6‑2 in last 8
Over 2.5 goals:
Orlando home: 6 of last 10
San Jose away: 7 of last 10
BTTS:
Orlando: 7 of last 10
San Jose: 6 of last 10
MATCH ODDS
Orlando City SC + 425
San Jose Earthquakes – 180
Draw + 395
Over 3.5 – 115 Under – 3.5 – 105
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, July 24, 2026
