Match Preview: Loons return to California for a Clash with the Quakes

Through the first two matches, Minnesota United is on the right track to start the 2025 campaign. Following a one goal loss to LAFC to open the season the Loons rebounded last weekend with a one goal victory over Montréal. MNUFC’s defensive effort has been stellar to start the season, only allowing a single goal on 16 combined shots faced and holding their opponents to a combined 1.42 xG in two games. The only drawback to this point has been the Minnesota attack, who’s scored just once on 26 total shots, though Eric Ramsey is optimistic, saying “I don’t worry. I don’t worry about that in the long run, I feel like we will come good for sure,” following last weeks win against Montréal.

After a putrid 2024 season, where San Jose Earthquakes finished dead last with 21 points earning the wooden spoon in the process, the Quakes have started off hot in 2025. Under former USMNT and longtime MLS head coach Bruce Arena, the Quakes opened the season with a crushing 4-0 victory over Real Salt Lake. Last weekend San Jose defeated Sporting Kansas City 2-1 to move to 2-0 with six points. Arena was appointed to the role last November, replacing interim manager Ian Russel who took over from Luchi Gonzalez last June after Gonzalez’s dismissal as manager. In January the Earthquakes re-hired Luchi Gonzalez, this time in the role of Academy director.

News & Notes

After being out last week DJ Taylor and Loïc Mesanvi are off the injured list and cleared for play heading into the Saturday night showdown in the Bay Area. The Loons MLS Next Pro side MNUFC2 signed first team MLS SuperDraft picks Roman Torres and Logan Dorsey to contracts for the 2025 season. Both players were signed to one year MLS Next Pro contracts with a club option for the 2026 season and Torres was immediately loaned to USL Championship side Birmingham Legion.

Torres and the Legion open the 2025 USL Championship campaign on Saturday the 8th of March with a home match against Loudoun United. The Twos meanwhile open their 2025 season on Friday the 14th of March away to Austin FC II as part of a season opening five match road trip.

Availability

SJE | Out: Nick Fernandez (lower body), Kikanović (lower body), Hernán López (suspension) ; Questionable: None

MIN | Out: Keller (leg), Rosales (leg); Questionable: None

Staff Predictions

Tim McLaughlin: 2-0 Earthquakes

Seth Steffengahen: 2-1 Earthquakes

Ashle Paige: 1-1 draw

Michael Lake: 0-1 Loons

Bridget McDowell: 1-0 Earthquakes, late San Jose goal after a solid MNUFC defensive performance