San Jose Earthquakes vs Portland Timbers: Five Unbeaten
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San Jose Earthquakes face Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer on Sunday, 27 September 2026, at Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad, bringing a five-match unbeaten streak into Matchweek 27.
San Jose unbeaten in five and holding recent edge
San Jose sit fifth in the Western Conference with 42 points from 26 matches. Over their last five games, they collected two wins and three draws, most recently drawing 2-2 with Los Angeles FC on 19 September after a 1-0 home win over Houston Dynamo on 13 September and a 3-2 away victory at San Diego on 10 September. Preston Judd leads their scoring with 13 goals across all competitions. They also hold the upper hand in recent head-to-head fixtures, having defeated Portland 3-1 away on 24 May 2026 and 4-1 at home on 4 May 2025. Over their past five matches with chance data, San Jose have produced 1.26 expected goals per game while conceding 1.00.
Portland carry eight away defeats and six confirmed absentees
Portland Timbers enter the weekend ninth in the standings with 32 points, ten behind San Jose. They have struggled away from home this season, managing two wins and two draws from 12 road fixtures while suffering eight defeats and conceding 23 goals. Their recent league run features only one win in five outings—a 5-4 victory over Minnesota United FC on 6 September—followed by a 2-2 draw with St. Louis City, a 2-1 loss at FC Dallas on 13 September, and a 0-1 home defeat to Atlanta United FC on 20 September. Top scorer Kevin Kelsy has nine goals, but Portland allow 1.46 expected goals per match while creating 1.54. Selection issues complicate the fixture further: J. Waterman is suspended, while B. Bye, F. Surman, J. Mosquera, and T. Muse are sidelined by injury, and Z. McGraw is not in the squad. A. Aravena and J. Caicedo remain doubtful. San Jose are missing A. Gunn, O. Bouda, and R. Vieira to international duty, alongside injured pair D. Jones and N. Adimabua, with D. Johnson doubtful.
Our model expects a San Jose Earthquakes win
Our forecasting model expects a San Jose Earthquakes win. Portland's return of two wins from 12 away fixtures and their eight defensive losses on the road align with San Jose's steady five-game unbeaten run and their 3-1 victory in Portland earlier in 2026.
