Quakes eye strong finish in Portland for World Cup sendoff match

The San Jose Earthquakes return to the Pacific Northwest on Saturday to face the Portland Timbers for their last MLS regular-season match before the league takes a break for the FIFA World Cup. Kickoff from Providence Park is set for 6:30 p.m. PT, and will air globally on Apple TV (English/Spanish), as well as via local radio on KSFO 810 AM (English) and La Kaliente 1370 AM (Spanish).  

San Jose looks to get back in the win column after a tough three-game stretch across all competitions. With Saturday marking their fifth match in just 15 days, the congested schedule has demanded contributions up and down the roster. The Portland game figures to be no different with the next man up mentality that has defined San Jose's season once again put to the test on one of MLS's toughest road venues. 

Despite being decimated by injures, the Quakes have proven they can score from multiple sources, and Preston Judd has led the way with six goals in his last six MLS games and nine goal contributions (3g/2a) in his last nine league contests. Alongside him, Ousseni Bouda has five goal contributions (3g/2a) in his last six league games as a starter, and players like Nick Fernandez have stepped up when called upon, with four goal contributions in his last three starts in all competitions as well (2g/2a). 

All three will be needed to counter a Portland side that has been struggling for consistency this season. The Timbers arrive at their home ground having gone 4-7-2 on the season, sitting 12th in the Western Conference, and coming off back-to-back winless matches, a 2-0 loss to Inter Miami CF on May 17 and a 2-2 draw to CF Montréal four days prior. Despite recent results, Portland has shown they can erupt offensively on any given night, and the Quakes have yet to solve the puzzle that is Providence Park in 19 previous tries in league play (0-14-5). 

Venezuelan forward Kevin Kelsy and Norwegian Designated Player Kristoffer Velde are leading the charge with eight (5g/3a) and seven (4g/3a) goal contributions, respectively. The Timbers also boasts midfielder and MLS legend Diego Chara, who is on his 16th season in over 500 matches for the Green and Gold. 

Saturday presents an opportunity to exorcise the Quakes’ longstanding demons in Portland while simultaneously sending the fan base into the World Cup break with something to celebrate. With a road record of 5-1-1 thus far in MLS play that includes their first-ever win in St. Louis, perhaps this is the year to do it.