Saturday’s meeting between the two clubs will mark the highest combined points per game in MLS history through at least 10 games.
Quakes and Whitecaps Meet in Historic Matchup
The story of the regular season so far has been the historic dominance of the San Jose Earthquakes and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Saturday will mark the first matchup and a huge contest in the chase for the Supporters’ Shield.
When Vancouver and San Jose face off on Saturday night, it’ll mark the most combined points per game between two clubs after at least 10 games in a season (2.52 combined PPG). Of the previous five highest matchups, the Supporters’ Shield winner was in each of those matches. The most recent occurrence was FC Cincinnati’s 6-1 win over Inter Miami CF on July 6, 2024 (2.14 combined PPG) that saw them retake the Shield lead.
Saturday’s contest will also be unique in that it will be just San Jose’s sixth home game of the regular season and Vancouver’s second road game. It will be the game of the week on Matchday 12 at PayPal Park (10:30 p.m. ET) in what should be a Western Conference playoff preview.
New England's Revolution Under Marko Mitrović
Sitting second in the Eastern Conference, the New England Revolution are a breakout contender under first-year head coach Marko Mitrović.
Mitrović’s attention to detail is paying off: the Revs are tied for the league lead in headed goals (six) and are third with eight set-piece goals. He’s also shown a knack for in-game adjustments, with New England ranking tied for second in goals from substitutes (four).
Just as important, Mitrović has instilled confidence across the squad, fueling breakout seasons from young stars Luca Langoni (24) and Peyton Miller (18), along with a return to form for U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Matt Turner.
The Revs face the Philadelphia Union this week (7:30 p.m. ET, Apple TV) as they look to continue their early-season ascent up the standings.
Zavier Gozo Pushing for Rare Teenager World Cup Spot
With five game-winning goal contributions this season, Real Salt Lake’s Zavier Gozo is pushing for a surprise FIFA World Cup roster spot with the U.S. Men’s National Team.
The 19-year-old has been remarkable for the Claret and Cobalt this year with multiple highlight goals and dominant performances on the right wing. Gozo’s breakout has thrust him into the FIFA World Cup 2026 roster conversation for the U.S. Men’s National Team. Only three teenagers have made the U.S. World Cup roster in the MLS era – Yunus Musah (2022), Joe Scally (2022), and Julian Green (2014) – and Gozo could be the first from MLS to do so.
If Gozo is going to continue making a case for the roster, he will need another great performance on Matchday 12 against FC Dallas (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS on Apple TV).
David MartÃnez: MLS’ Next South American Sensation
Each year in MLS, a young South American talent breaks out and becomes a star, this season looks like LAFC’s David MartÃnez has claimed that title.
Following the growth of the U22 Initiative, South American youngsters have made their mark in MLS including Pedro Vite (2025), Diego Gómez (2024), Alan Velasco (2023), Jhon Durán (2022), and many more. MartÃnez has shown these flashes previously but is turning it up to a new level in 2026. The Venezuelan international has three goals and two assists in MLS play and has also broken out in the Concacaf Champions Cup with four goals.
This week will be another opportunity for the 20-year-old to shine as LAFC takes a 2-1 aggregate lead to Toluca on Wednesday, May 6 (9:30 p.m. ET), before a Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire matchup with Houston Dynamo FC (9 p.m. ET, MLS on Apple TV).
