Venue: PayPal Park, San Jose, California (home of the San Jose Earthquakes).
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. local PT / 2:30 a.m. UTC Sunday).
Broadcast on Apple TV (MLS Season Pass).
Weather forecast: Partly cloudy in the morning becoming sunny. Highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s°F, lows around 55–58°F. Northwest winds 5–20 mph, with possible gusts up to 40 mph in the evening. Dry and pleasant conditions for evening soccer.
Recent Team Forms
Houston Dynamo are among the stronger Western Conference sides, sitting near the top with a solid record and strong defensive numbers (among the league’s better in goals allowed). They recently secured a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake and have been consistent against conference opponents.
San Jose Earthquakes are solidly in the playoff mix but have been inconsistent lately (mixed results including draws and losses in recent outings). They snapped a longer winless stretch with a recent road win and remain dangerous at home, especially when scoring multiple goals.
Series History
This is the second meeting of the 2026 season; the previous encounter ended in a 0-0 draw. Historically, the matchup has been competitive with a mix of results, though Houston has often held an edge in recent years. Expect a tight Western Conference clash.
Injury and Suspension Reports
San Jose Earthquakes: Nonso Adimabua (lower body), DeJuan Jones (lower body/Achilles), Earl Edwards Jr. (lower body), Timo Werner (lower body), and Max Floriani (suspension/red card) are among those out. Preston Judd and Reid Roberts are questionable (lower body).
Houston Dynamo: Felipe De Andrade Vieira (injured), Jimmy Maurer (back/concussion-related), and Lyle Foster (inactive/not due to injury) are out. Marcelo Saracchi is questionable (lower body).
Current Player Rosters and Key Matchups
San Jose Earthquakes key players:
GK: Angus Gunn (or alternatives with Edwards out).
Defenders: Max Floriani (suspended), others in the back line.
Midfielders: Niko Tsakiris (creator with assists), others.
Forwards: Preston Judd (~12 goals, team leader and questionable), Ousseni Bouda.
Houston Dynamo key players:
GK: Jonathan Bond.
Defenders: Solid unit contributing to low goals-against.
Midfielders: Mateusz Bogusz (goals and creativity), Artur, others.
Forwards: Guilherme (~12-13 goals, leading scorer and creator), Lawrence Ennali.
Key matchups:
Houston’s Guilherme (prolific scorer and assist threat) vs. San Jose’s defense — Guilherme has been in strong form and will test the home back line.
San Jose’s Preston Judd (top scorer, if available) and Niko Tsakiris (playmaking) vs. Houston’s organized defense — Judd’s finishing is key for the Quakes’ attack against one of the league’s tighter units.
Midfield control (Bogusz/Ennali vs. Tsakiris and company) will be pivotal; Houston’s defensive structure vs. San Jose’s home energy and ability to score in bunches. Set pieces and transitions could decide a closely contested game.
Betting Trends
Relatively even moneyline with a slight home lean for San Jose, though Houston’s superior record and defense make them competitive on the road.
Both teams can score (Judd and Guilherme as focal points), supporting BTTS or overs potential, but Houston’s defensive strength favors unders in some scenarios.
Second meeting after a scoreless draw; conference implications add intensity.
MATCH ODDS
Houston Dynamo FC + 175
San Jose Earthquakes + 130
Draw + 250
Over 3 + 105 Under 3 – 135
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, September 11, 2026
