MATCH PREVIEW: San Jose faces FC Cincinnati in rare road match at TQL Stadium

The Quakes aim to return to winning ways Saturday when they travel to Cincinnati for only the second time since TQL Stadium opened in 2021. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. PT, with the match broadcast on Apple TV (English/Spanish) and via local radio on KSFO 810 AM (English) and La Kaliente 1370 AM (Spanish). 

Though San Jose earned a point after a dominant second half against the archrival LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium last week, this game presents a different challenge against one of the most potent offenses in MLS. Still hanging on to a tie on points for first place (10-4-3, 33 points in West), the Black and Blue take on an FC Cincinnati team (6-6-5, 23 points in East) coming off a big win over Western Conference contenders Vancouver Whitecaps FC and a close 2-1 Hell Is Real defeat to the Columbus Crew. 

The Quakes stand just one win away from tying last year’s total, but it won’t come easy, as FCC playmaker Evander continues his fine form (10g/8a) in 2026. Forward Kevin Denkey isn’t too far behind with 15 goal contributions (11g/4a) and Pavel Bucha with 11 of them (4g/7a). 

However, FCC has been hampered by an inconsistent defense. Even in the win over Vancouver, they conceded three goals in a wide-open contest. Goalkeeper Roman Celentano, Quakes defender Daniel Munie’s college teammate at Indiana University, will have his hands full with a San Jose attack that is recharging to full force Saturday. 

Forward Preston Judd, who leads all players in MLS with 11 goals from the run of play, is back in the lineup after missing the last match due to accumulation of cards. So is team captain Ronaldo Vieira, who hopes to stabilize the defense in front of the back four. 

As for Munie, he is coming off his first MLS All-Star appearance Wednesday, playing the last 45 minutes as his side defeated Mexico’s LIGA MX All-Stars 4-3 in Charlotte. He will be a focal point of a back line searching for his first clean sheet with newly signed goalkeeper Angus Gunn, who featured for Scotland in the World Cup. 

The last time these two teams met at TQL Stadium, the hosts romped in a 6-0 drubbing in 2022. However, while none of the Quakes’ starters that night are on the current roster, Benji Kikanović, Jack Skahan and Paul Marie came off the bench and still remain today. That trio will certainly be out for revenge Saturday night as San Jose looks for its first win since returning from the FIFA World Cup break.