San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC: Predictions, Picks, Odds & Lineups

San Jose Earthquakes host LAFC at Levi’s Stadium on Saturday, September 19 (7:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM CT / 4:30 PM PT).

San Jose Earthquakes have a clean bill of health for this one, with Preston Judd – 12 goals in 1,647 minutes this season – set to lead the line, backed by Ousseni Bouda and Timo Werner in the attacking midfield roles behind him. LAFC arrive with no fresh absences either, and Denis Bouanga remains their focal point after 13 goals from 79 shots, with Heung-Min Son and David Martínez offering support in attack.

This is a Western Conference clash between playoff-positioned sides – San Jose Earthquakes fourth, LAFC sixth – and the underlying data points to goals at both ends rather than a stalemate. Judd’s 12 goals and Bouanga’s 13 lead both sides’ scoring charts, and with San Jose Earthquakes shipping five in one game against Minnesota United and LAFC conceding three at Sporting KC, neither defense looks watertight. Expect PayPal Park to see the home side edge a fairly open contest at 2-1.

US viewers can watch San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.

Season Form & Standings

San Jose Earthquakes sit fourth in the Western Conference, firmly in the playoff picture, while LAFC are 2 places back in sixth, still well positioned for a postseason spot.

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Potential Match-Winners

• Preston Judd (San Jose Earthquakes): Judd has scored 12 goals in 1,647 minutes this season, with 29 shots on target from 65 attempts showing he’s the focal point of every San Jose Earthquakes attack.
• Timo Werner (San Jose Earthquakes): Werner has created 30 chances alongside 6 goals in just 901 minutes, making him San Jose Earthquakes’ most incisive attacking outlet when he’s on the field.
• Denis Bouanga (LAFC): Bouanga is LAFC’s clear top threat, with 13 goals and 52 chances created from 2,114 minutes this season.

Recent Form

San Jose Earthquakes: L D D W W

• 2026-09-13: San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 Houston Dynamo (W, home)
• 2026-09-10: San Diego FC 2-3 San Jose Earthquakes (W, away)
• 2026-09-06: Austin FC 1-1 San Jose Earthquakes (D, away)
• 2026-08-30: Houston Dynamo 0-0 San Jose Earthquakes (D, away)
• 2026-08-23: San Jose Earthquakes 1-5 Minnesota United (L, home)

San Jose Earthquakes have won their last 2 matches – 1-0 over Houston Dynamo at PayPal Park and 3-2 away at San Diego FC – either side of draws at Austin FC and Houston Dynamo, following a 5-1 loss to Minnesota United to open that stretch.

LAFC: D D D W L

• 2026-09-13: Sporting KC 3-1 LAFC (L, away)
• 2026-09-10: LAFC 2-0 New York Red Bulls (W, home)
• 2026-09-06: Real Salt Lake 2-2 LAFC (D, away)
• 2026-08-30: DC United 0-0 LAFC (D, away)
• 2026-08-23: LAFC 1-1 Portland Timbers (D, home)

LAFC head into this one off a 3-1 loss at Sporting KC, sandwiched by a 2-0 home win over New York Red Bulls and draws with Real Salt Lake (2-2), DC United (0-0) and Portland Timbers (1-1).

San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC Prediction

San Jose Earthquakes’ fourth-place standing in the West and LAFC’s sixth-place spot both point to sides still in the playoff picture, and with Judd leading the line in this form at PayPal Park, the Earthquakes edge it 2-1, with Bouanga’s quality ensuring LAFC don’t leave empty-handed.