Verdict: LA Galaxy win

Best Odds: 12/11

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to open their Leagues Cup adventure with three points, LA Galaxy will travel to San Jose in the early hours of Thursday.

San Jose Earthquakes

Starting with the hosts, dragging themselves to what was a nail-biting penalties victory away at Guadalajara last weekend, San Jose will be desperate to use that gutsy performance as a platform to build on. However, despite claiming a crucial Leagues Cup boost, it is no secret that the Earthquakes find themselves at the heart of a real MLS struggle. Heading into the summer interval with a routine 2-0 defeat against Minnesota, inter boss Ian Russell finds his squad sat rock-bottom of the Western Conference table. Losing all of their previous three showdowns against MLS opposition by an aggregate score of 5-1, San Jose have also lost nine of their last 10 domestic appearances – a rut that stems all the way back to a 1-1 stalemate against Austin back on May 26th.

Team News

Still dealing with a long-term knee injury and not making a single appearance since opening up the 2024 campaign, American goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski remains on the sidelines. Likewise, 22-year-old Jamar Ricketts will also be unavailable in the early hours of Thursday.

Notching a maiden Leagues Cup strike away at Guadalajara last weekend, former Portland Timbers striker Jeremy Ebobisse will keep his spot spearhead Russell’s charge. Arriving from Portuguese outfit Maritimo this season, Vitor Costa will start at left-back.

LA Galaxy

As for the visitors, picking up some perfect momentum last week as they secured an action-packed 3-2 win against Portland, LA Galaxy are enjoying a real MLS flurry this season. Leading the chase at the top of the Western Conference table and continuing to receive a string of plaudits, Greg Vanney’s men have won three of their previous four domestic appearances. Likewise, winning three of their last nine MLS showdowns and with the mood in their camp at a red-hot high, the California-based outfit will be confident of making an early statement here. Signing off June with a thumping 3-0 romp when they travelled to San Jose, the former Toronto boss will certainly be calling on a repeat performance in the early hours of Thursday.

Team News

Still sidelined with a muscle injury and not making a single appearance across any competition since the end of May, former Parma midfielder Gaston Brugman will not travel to San Jose here. However, aside from the 31-year-old, Vanney’s side have reported a clean bill of health heading into Thursday’s showdown.

Finding the net in two of his previous three MLS appearances, former Barcelona starlet Riqui Puig will play a leading role. Continuing to impress since arriving from Genk this season, Ghana international Joseph Paintsil will lead LA’s charge in midweek.

Key Factors to Consider

• When LA Galaxy travelled to PayPal Park back on June 30th, Thursday’s guests collected a thumping 3-0 victory.
• In fact, LA Galaxy have won all of their previous four showdowns against the Earthquakes by an aggregate score of 13-6.
• Likewise, Vanney’s men have won their previous three consecutive trips to PayPal Park by an aggregate score of 9-3.
• San Jose have lost nine of their previous 10 showdowns against MLS opposition.
• The Earthquakes have clinched just a single win from any of their previous eight home fixtures.

Conclusion

In the midst of what has become a real MLS purple patch, LA Galaxy will be excited to get their Leagues Cup adventure underway here. Storming their way to a thumping 3-0 victory when they travelled to PayPal Park back on June 30th, Thursday’s guests will be excited by a rampant record against San Jose. Winning all of their previous four showdowns by an aggregate score of 13-6, we are expecting what could be an enjoyable away victory in midweek.

Verdict: LA Galaxy win

Best Odds: 12/11

Bookmaker: Luckster