Enemy Scouting Report - San Jose Earthquakes

(image via San Jose Earthquakes)

The Houston Dynamo are refocusing on league play after a frustrating Round of 16 exit in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against Austin FC on Wednesday. Their next challenge is a trip to the Bay Area to face Bruce Arena’s San Jose Earthquakes.

San Jose has shown significant improvement in the 2025 MLS season. The Earthquakes boast the league’s highest goal tally with 26 goals but have also conceded 20, indicating a potent offense coupled with defensive vulnerabilities.

San Jose’s attack is led by a dangerous trio. Cristian Arango is a clinical finisher with sharp movement and a knack for finding space in the box. The good news for Houston, Arango will miss this match with an injury. However, they still have other potent attackers. Josef Martínez adds explosive pace and aggressive runs, thriving in transition and tight spaces. Cristian Espinoza drives the creativity, using his dribbling and vision to unlock defenses and deliver key passes. Together, they form a dynamic, well-balanced threat up front.

San Jose Earthquakes Record: 5W-3D-6L

Results in the last 30 days:

May 3 - San Jose 4-1 Portland

May 7 - San Jose 2-1 Sacramento Republic FC (USOC)

May 10 - Colorado 0-2 San Jose

May 14 - San Jose 3-3 Inter Miami

May 17 - New England 0-0 San Jose

May 20 - San Jose 1-0 Portland (USOC)

Last Match Staring XI (from fotmob.com)

2025 Roster

Goalkeepers: Francesco Montali, Earl Edwards Jr., Daniel 

Defenders: Jamar Ricketts, Paul Marie, Bruno Wilson, Daniel Munie, Dave Romney, Reid Roberts, DeJuan Jones, Nick Lima, Max Floriani, Rodrigues, Wilson Eisner, Vítor Costa

Midfielders: Ian Harkes, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Cruz Medina, Jack Skahan, Nick Fernandez, Noel Buck, Hernán López, Kaedren Spivey, Niko Tsakiris, Beau Leroux, Edwyn Mendoza

Forwards:  Amahl Pellegrino, Chicho Arango, Cristian Espinoza, Ousseni Bouda, Josef Martínez, Preston Judd, Benji Kikanović, Chance Cowell

Can Houston exploit the Earthquakes’ defensive gaps and come away with a positive result?

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Previewing Houston Dynamo at San Jose Earthquakes with Quakes Epicenter