Fresh from snapping a four-game losing streak last time out, San Jose Earthquakes will do battle against Los Angeles FC at the PayPal Park on Saturday.
The visitors, meanwhile, will be looking to make it back to back triumphs for the first time this season having returned to winning ways in their most recent involvement.
Match preview
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San Jose Earthquakes battled hard to come away with a point in a 1-1 stalemate against Nashville SC in Sunday's meeting a Geodis Park.
Luchi Gonzalez's men fell behind to Hany Mukhtar's opener in the 19th minute before drawing themselves back on level terms just past the hour mark thanks to Jack Skahan.
As a result, the Goonies remain rooted to the bottom of the Western Conference of the MLS table which summarises what has been a disastrous start to the campaign.
Lying in store next is the challenge of an opposing outfit with little to pick between the teams over the last seven matches ending in two wins apiece and three stalemates.
Having scored the fewest goals on home turf in the entire division this term, Saturday's hosts will need to up the ante at the top end of pitch to give their fans reason to cheer this weekend.
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Los Angeles FC just about came out on top from a five-goal thriller which ended 3-2 against Portland Timbers at the BMO Stadium on Sunday.
Steve Cherundolo's men raced to a two-goal lead thanks to Kamal Miller's own goal and a Timothy Tillman strike but were pegged back by Jonathan Rodriguez and Santiago Moreno before Denis Bouanga grabbed the winner in stoppage time.
With 15 points amassed from 10 matches so far, the Black and Gold sit fifth in the Western Conference standings, albeit just three points behind leaders Real Salt Lake.
Off the back of 10 goals conceded across their most recent four away outings, Saturday's visitors could really do with a show of defensive strength here as they look to win on the road for the first time since February.
Team News
Defender Lorenzo Dellavalle remains out of contention for Los Angeles due to a long-term knee injury, which he picked up in September 2023.
The away side will also be without the services of 18-year-old David Martinez, who has sat out each of the last three games with a back problem.
San Jose's JT Marcinkowski is ruled out with a knee issue, while fellow American Alfredo Morales misses out this weekend with a hip injury.
Jack Skahan opened his account for the season off the bench last time out and could be rewarded with a place in the starting lineup here.
San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Costa, Beason, Rodrigues, Akapo; Tsakiris, Gruezo, Yueill; Espinoza, Ebobisse, Kikanovic
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Palencia, Murillo, Chanot, Hollingshead; Tillman, Sanchez, Atuesta; Olivera, Bogusz, Bouanga
We say: San Jose Earthquakes 1-1 Los Angeles FC
Both teams have had their defensive woes of late, and we expect neither to come away with a clean sheet here. We are also backing a share of the spoils with honours even at the end of 90 minutes.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
