Colorado Rapids San Jose Earthquakes Preview: Quakes Epicenter

COMMERCE CITY – Colorado Rapids return home to DICK’S Sporting Goods Park this Saturday. The host San Jose Earthquakes, who they played less than a month ago. Since then, the Pids have gotten some fun wins. The Quakes got a 3-1 win against LAFC and signed a new DP midfielder. Jamon Moore of Quakes Epicenter helps Burgundy Wave preview the game.

When: Saturday May 11 @ 7:30 p.m. MT

Where: DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado

TV/Streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

Colorado and San Jose meet again so soon. Since the match on April 13, the Quakes signed DP midfielder Hernan Lopez. They also got a surprise 3-1 win over LAFC at Levi’s Stadium. Big picture, has hope been restored or is this team still going to miss the playoffs? 

This Earthquakes team has only about a 25% chance of making the playoffs per our simulations. They will still need to get 36 points or around 1.55 points per game the rest of the season just to sneak into a 9th spot. Hernán López does bring hope, but that future is probably going to be getting acclimated for a strong push in 2025.

What was different about that performance against LAFC compared to previous games? Is it repeatable this Saturday?  

The Quakes have a good attack with the ability to push and pressure almost any backline in MLS, especially with Hernán López added to the mix. Against LAFC, an early corner goal, supported by a crowd of 43,000 at Levi’s Stadium, helped them push through to get two more goals.

Against the Rapids, the Quakes gave up an early goal on a penalty, and never really got into the game. The result is only repeatable if they can become and remain the aggressor and not concede early. The defense has been one of the worst in MLS conceding 26 goals and lacking a clean sheet so far.

López came off the bench at halftime against LAFC. Passing looked decent. What can Rapids fans expect to see from López? How many minutes does he play? 

López is coming in midseason form, having played the first half of the Argentine Primera Liga season. Rapids fans should expect him to start and go 60 minutes in this one. He’ll likely give way to Jack Skahan or Niko Tsakiris who are both bright spots in the Quakes attack this season but will lose some time to López now.

Rapids fans have fond memories of William Yarbrough. He made some big saves to protect the lead against LAFC. It’ll be nice to see his return to Commerce City, especially if he starts. How’s he been taking over as starter?

Outside of the LAFC game where Yarbrough shined, he has had a tough year replacing Daniel who is out several months. The Rapids game was perhaps his most difficult one, being the cause of the penalty goal to open the scoring. If Yarbrough can continue to put on performances like the LAFC game, then he can get his season on track and at least keep the Quakes in games to grind out some results.

Got a prediction for us? Yarbrough revenge tour? López bringing back the Goonies with a stoppage time winner? 

Given the performance at PayPal Park, it would be greedy to think the Quakes can get out with three points. In previous seasons, these games at DSGP have usually been tight games with a lot of draws. A good result for the Quakes would be a 1-1 or 0-0 game.

Colorado Rapids San Jose Earthquakes Betting Odds:

Sportsbooks in Colorado like the Pids in this one. FanDuel has a Colorado win at -140. A draw and a San Jose win are nearly even, +300 and +310 respectively.

Photo Credit: John Babiak

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