Venue: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California.
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT
Broadcast on Apple TV.
Current Weather Forecast (Santa Clara / Levi’s Stadium area)
Saturday is expected to be partly cloudy to sunny and warm, with a high near 79–81°F (26–27°C) during the day. Temperatures should cool into the mid-to-upper 50s°F (~13–15°C) by evening kickoff. Light west/northwest winds (5–10 mph), low precipitation chance (under 10%), and comfortable conditions overall for an afternoon/early evening match. Mild and dry with possible morning fog clearing.
Current Player Rosters
San Jose Earthquakes (Head Coach: Bruce Arena):
Goalkeepers: Angus Gunn (primary), Earl Edwards Jr., Nate Crockford.
Defenders: Daniel Munie, Reid Roberts, Dave Romney, Jamar Ricketts, Benji Kikanović, Paul Marie, Max Floriani, DeJuan Jones, others.
Midfielders: Niko Tsakiris, Beau Leroux, Ronaldo Vieira, Ian Harkes, Jack Skahan, Nick Fernandez, Eduard Löwen, others.
Forwards: Preston Judd, Ousseni Bouda, Timo Werner, Luka Jovanović, others.
Los Angeles FC (Head Coach: Marc Dos Santos):
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (primary), Thomas Hasal, Cabral Carter.
Defenders: Eddie Segura, Ryan Porteous, Nkosi Tafari, Ryan Hollingshead, Yevhen Cheberko, Aaron Long, Sergi Palencia, others.
Midfielders: Mark Delgado, Timothy Tillman, Mathieu Choinière, Igor Jesus, others.
Forwards: Denis Bouanga, Heung-Min Son, Jacob Shaffelburg, Armindo Sieb, Tyler Boyd, Jeremy Ebobisse, others.
Listed Injury/Suspension Reports
San Jose Earthquakes: Nonso Adimabua (lower body, out), Earl Edwards Jr. (lower body, out), DeJuan Jones (Achilles/lower body, out), Timo Werner (lower body/leg, out), Max Floriani (served suspension; available). Preston Judd and Reid Roberts listed as questionable (lower body) in recent reports.
Los Angeles FC: Thomas Hasal (arm, out), Ryan Porteous (leg, out), Timothy Tillman (leg, out). Core attackers Bouanga and Son expected available.
Recent Team Forms (Approximate Last 5 MLS Matches)
San Jose Earthquakes: Improving after a rough stretch — W 1-0 vs Houston, W 3-2 at San Diego, D 1-1 at Austin, D 0-0 at Houston, L 1-5 vs Minnesota. They have climbed the Western standings with recent home form and defensive improvements under Arena.
Los Angeles FC: Mixed results — L 1-3 at Sporting KC, W 2-0 vs New York Red Bulls, D 2-2 at Real Salt Lake, D 0-0 at D.C. United, D 1-1 vs Portland. Strong attacking output from Bouanga and Son, but inconsistency and a thinner midfield have been factors.
Series History / Head-to-Head
San Jose won the most recent meeting 4-1 away at BMO Stadium on April 19, 2026 (Ousseni Bouda scored twice). LAFC has historically dominated many California rivalry matchups, but the Earthquakes have shown the ability to upset them, especially in high-attendance games at Levi’s. The series is competitive overall, with both sides capable of high-scoring affairs.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Denis Bouanga / Heung-Min Son (LAFC attack) vs. San Jose center backs (Munie/Roberts/Romney) and Angus Gunn: Bouanga’s finishing and Son’s creativity/movement will test San Jose’s defensive structure; this is the primary threat for LAFC.
Preston Judd / Ousseni Bouda / Niko Tsakiris (SJ attack/midfield) vs. LAFC backline (Segura/Tafari/Hollingshead) and Hugo Lloris: Judd’s goal-scoring form and Bouda’s pace/creativity, supported by Tsakiris’ vision, could exploit any gaps.
Midfield battle: Leroux/Vieira/Harkes (SJ control) vs. Delgado/Choinière (LAFC progression). Fullback matchups (Ricketts/Kikanović vs. Hollingshead/Palencia) will influence width and transitions in this California rivalry clash.
Betting Trends
Both Teams to Score is frequently viable. Trends favor competitive, goal-oriented California derbies, with home advantage at the large-capacity Levi’s Stadium a factor for San Jose.
MATCH ODDS
Los Angeles FC + 122
San Jose Earthquakes + 190
Draw + 290
Over 3 – 132 Under 3 + 101
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, September 18, 2026
