SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes are back home to play Austin FC on Saturday at PayPal Park. This Decision Day match will be the last chance for the Quakes to clinch a playoff spot. Kickoff will take place at 6 p.m. PT and will be broadcast globally via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (English/Spanish), as well as via local radio on KSFO 810 AM (English) and 1370 AM La Kaliente (Spanish).
POTENTIAL STORYLINES:
• The San Jose Earthquakes are currently 11th in the MLS Western Conference table with 38 points (10-15-8) while Austin FC are sixth (13-12-8) with 47 points. While San Jose is still alive for the eighth or ninth seed in the Western Conference, Austin FC will remain sixth regardless of the result Saturday.
• Saturday’s match conjures up memories of Decision Day 2023, when San Jose needed a point against Austin FC at PayPal Park to secure a playoff spot. Cristian Espinoza’s first-half goal was enough in a 1-1 draw to send the Quakes to their first postseason berth in three years.
• For San Jose to clinch a playoff spot, they will need to win Saturday combined with any two of the following three results:
- FC Dallas LOSS at Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Real Salt Lake LOSS at St. Louis CITY SC
- Colorado Rapids LOSS or DRAW vs LAFC
The Earthquakes are 2-2-6 (21 GF, 19 GA) against Austin FC all-time in MLS regular-season play with a 1-0-3 (8 GF, 4 GA) record at home.
• Earthquakes forward Cristian “Chicho” Arango has amassed six goal contributions (5g/1a) in as many matches against Austin FC.
• Quakes captain and 2025 MLS All-Star Cristian Espinoza has tallied eight goal contributions (2g/6a) in nine meetings with Austin FC.
• San Jose wingback Benji Kikanović has tallied three goal contributions (2g/1a) in four matches against Austin.
• The Quakes are looking to avenge two prior setbacks to Austin FC in 2025. The two teams last met at PayPal Park on July 8 for the Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup Quarterfinals. San Jose led Austin FC in extra time thanks to a Benji Kikanović goal but were pushed to a penalty shootout after conceding late. The visitors eventually pulled out a 4-2 win on PKs after drawing 1-1 in regulation. Austin FC also won their initial clash in MLS play this year, 3-1, at Q2 Stadium.
• Earthquakes defender Nick Lima could face his former team. After joining MLS as a Quakes Homegrown Player in 2016, Lima played in Austin FC for three seasons (2021-23).
