San Jose Earthquakes vs Minnesota United FC 8/1/20 - MLS Picks & Predictions

Last Updated: 07/31/2020 at 2:03 PM ET

On Saturday, the San Jose Earthquakes play Minnesota United FC in a quarterfinal fixture of the MLS is Back Tournament. Expect plenty of action and several goals when these two meet. San Jose featured an uptempo, high pressure attack in each of its first four matches of the tournament which has turned out positive for the club. San Jose has used nearly the exact same starting 11 led by Shea Salinas while veteran Chris Wondolowski helps close out matches by substituting in the second half.

San Jose opened tournament play with a 0-0 draw against the Seattle Sounders and followed that up with a 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Earthquakes continued their fine play with a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Fire and a 5-2 victory over Real Salt Lake in the round of 16. In four matches during the current tournament, San Jose has outscored its opponents by a combined 11-5. 

Minnesota has gone much farther in the tournament than most had expected. Although United is playing without top defender Ike Opara, the Loons have a very balanced and deep roster and is receiving contributions from all 11 on the field without any one hero emerging during the tournament. Minnesota will face one of its toughest challenges against the high-scoring San Jose Earthquakes and the absence of Opara on the back line could come into play.

Minnesota opened its tournament play with a 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City. The United followed that with a 0-0 draw against Real Salt Lake and a 2-2 draw against the Colorado Rapids to end the group stage of the tournament. In the round of 16, Minnesota defeated the Columbus Crew 1-1 on penalties to move on to the quarterfinals.

San Jose defeated Minnesota in each of the first four meetings between the two but since has lost each of the last three. The two met on March 7, prior to the MLS regular-season being suspended and Minnesota defeated San Jose 5-2. Both are having excellent tournaments but the run by the San Jose Earthquakes will come to an end as the better of the two on defense, Minnesota will push through to the semifinals with a victory on Saturday. Final Score Prediction, Minnesota United FC wins 2-1

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