LAFC and San Jose Earthquakes Clash in Sunday Night Soccer Showdown

Top Western Conference teams meet in key early-season matchup

Apr. 15, 2026 at 4:18pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic action of a soccer match, with the players' forms broken down into geometric shapes and planes of vibrant colors that convey the intensity and energy of the game.Two Western Conference powerhouses clash in a pivotal early-season showdown, with both teams vying for Supporters' Shield positioning.San Jose Today

Two of the top teams in the Western Conference of MLS, LAFC and the San Jose Earthquakes, will face off in a highly anticipated Sunday Night Soccer matchup. LAFC is coming off a midweek Concacaf Champions Cup victory, while the Earthquakes have been one of the league's biggest surprises so far this season despite losing some key players from last year's squad.

Why it matters

This matchup features two teams vying for the Supporters' Shield as the best team in MLS. With both sides sitting near the top of the Western Conference standings, the outcome of this game could have significant implications for the playoff race and the race for the league's best regular season record.

The details

LAFC is looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season last weekend against the Portland Timbers, a game in which they rested several key starters. The Earthquakes, meanwhile, have been getting results without their big offseason signing Timo Werner, who is expected to return this weekend. Both teams have dynamic attacking talent, with the Earthquakes' Niko Tsakiris and Preston Judd leading the way, while LAFC will look to their depth to overcome the quick turnaround from their midweek Champions Cup match.

  • LAFC played in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals midweek, eliminating Cruz Azul.
  • LAFC suffered their first loss of the season last weekend against the Portland Timbers.
  • The Earthquakes most recently defeated Sporting Kansas City 3-1.

The players

Timo Werner

The German star striker for the San Jose Earthquakes, who has contributed 2 assists in just 200 minutes of play so far this season.

Niko Tsakiris

The homegrown midfielder for the San Jose Earthquakes, who has 2 goals and 4 assists in 7 games this season and leads MLS with 28 key passes.

Daniel

The Brazilian veteran goalkeeper for the San Jose Earthquakes, who ranks second among MLS goalkeepers with 5 clean sheets while conceding just 2 goals.

Marc Dos Santos

The head coach of LAFC, who deployed a heavily rotated lineup in their loss to the Portland Timbers last weekend with an eye on their Concacaf Champions Cup series.

Bruce Arena

The head coach of the San Jose Earthquakes, who has guided his team to surprising success this season despite losing some of their top players from 2025.

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What they’re saying

“We must be ready for a tough battle against one of the best teams in the league. San Jose has shown they can get results without some of their top players, so we know we'll be in for a challenge.”

— Marc Dos Santos, LAFC Head Coach

“Getting Timo back will be a big boost, but we've shown we can win without him too. This is a huge game against a very good LAFC team, and we're excited for the challenge.”

— Bruce Arena, San Jose Earthquakes Head Coach

What’s next

With both teams sitting near the top of the Western Conference, this matchup could have major implications for the Supporters' Shield race and playoff positioning. A win for either side would be a significant statement early in the season.

The takeaway

This Sunday Night Soccer clash between LAFC and the San Jose Earthquakes features two of the top teams in MLS this season, with both sides looking to solidify their place among the league's elite. The outcome could shift the balance of power in the Western Conference and set the tone for the rest of the campaign.