San Jose Earthquakes vs Portland Timbers: Predictions, Picks, Odds & Lineups

San Jose Earthquakes host Portland Timbers at PayPal Park on Saturday, September 26 (10:30 PM ET / 9:30 PM CT / 7:30 PM PT).

San Jose Earthquakes have no fresh absences to factor into their lineup for this one, and the attacking picture starts with Preston Judd, who has scored 13 goals this season and remains the focal point of the front line at PayPal Park. Timo Werner and Ousseni Bouda offer further support behind him, with Werner setting up 33 chances created in 929 minutes and Bouda contributing 6 goals from 40 shots. Portland Timbers are similarly unaffected by injury concerns, and their threat continues to run through Kristoffer Velde, who has scored 8 goals and created 52 chances in 2125 minutes this season.

San Jose sit fifth in the Western Conference and go into this match unbeaten in their last five league games (D D W W D), a run capped by a 2-2 draw at home to LAFC and a 1-0 win over Houston Dynamo. Portland, ninth in the West on 32 points, have been far less settled, swinging from a 5-4 shootout win over Minnesota United to back-to-back defeats against Austin FC and Atlanta United. That contrast points to a tighter, lower-scoring affair than Portland’s recent home games have produced, with San Jose’s superior recent form the difference at PayPal Park.

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

Season Form & Standings

San Jose Earthquakes currently sit fifth in the Western Conference, firmly inside the playoff picture, while Portland Timbers are ninth in the West on 32 points with a -1 goal difference, still climbing the standings as the regular season winds down.

Western Conference

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Potential Match-Winners

• Preston Judd (San Jose Earthquakes): Leads San Jose with 13 goals from 68 shots, and his movement is the focal point of their attack.
• Timo Werner (San Jose Earthquakes): Has created 33 chances in just 929 minutes, giving San Jose’s front line a genuine creative spark.
• Kristoffer Velde (Portland Timbers): Has scored 8 goals and created 52 chances in 2125 minutes, making him Portland’s most complete offensive threat.

Recent Form

San Jose Earthquakes: D D W W D

• 2026-09-20: San Jose Earthquakes 2-2 LAFC (D, home)
• 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)

San Jose’s last five league results read D D W W D.

Portland Timbers: L W D L L

• 2026-09-20: Portland Timbers 0-1 Atlanta United (L, home)
• 2026-09-13: FC Dallas 2-1 Portland Timbers (L, away)
• 2026-09-10: Portland Timbers 2-2 St. Louis City SC (D, home)
• 2026-09-06: Portland Timbers 5-4 Minnesota United (W, home)
• 2026-08-30: Portland Timbers 1-2 Austin FC (L, home)

Portland’s last five league results read L W D L L.

San Jose Earthquakes vs Portland Timbers Prediction

Our Signal model sees this as a close contest that ultimately breaks San Jose’s way, projecting a 2-1 win for the Earthquakes. San Jose’s attacking depth, led by Preston Judd’s 13 goals, should be enough to edge a Portland side that has shipped goals at both ends of the field this season, with the finishing touch coming at PayPal Park.