MLS is Back: Ranking the four quarter-finals

MLS, LAFC, Diego Rossi (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
MLS, LAFC, Diego Rossi (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
San Jose Earthquakes, Magnus Eriksson
San Jose Earthquakes, Magnus Eriksson (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

3. San Jose Earthquakes vs. Minnesota United

There is no team that is more entertaining to watch in all of MLS than the San Jose Earthquakes.

More from MLS Multiplex

They play bright, attacking football, the likes of Magnus Eriksson and Cristian Espinoza are wonderful to watch, and their man-marking scheme is utterly wild, such that it creates crazy moments and scorelines. After their opening 0-0 draw with the Seattle Sounders, which was still an extremely entertaining game, they have played 4-3, a 2-0 and a 5-2 with a red card and two penalties. What drama?!

This match is lower, however, due to their opponents. Minnesota United are an excellent team. They are well-drilled, organised, superbly coached, and have one of the best midfields in MLS. However, they are not especially brilliant to watch.

Adrian Heath’s team sit back, compact the space, and shut down the game. It is not expansive or exciting. It is mechanical, extremely effective, but sometimes boring. This is a more competitive game than Orlando vs. LAFC, but the entertainment factor of both teams isn’t quite there.