San Jose Earthquakes Vs Minnesota United: 3 things to watch for – Western elite

1. How long can San Jose press for?

For a period in the heart of the 2019 season, the San Jose Earthquakes were the best team in MLS not named Los Angeles FC. After a disastrous start to the year following on from a historically poor 2018, Matias Almeyda expressed unwavering belief in his man-marking, high-pressing system. And, slowly but surely, the results started to turn his team’s way.

That lasted for a few months. But the physical challenges of the philosophy started to take their toll late on. By the end of the year, San Jose were a beleaguered outfit and they eventually slipped out of the playoffs entirely. Almeyda, though, obdurately believes in his system and has brought it to the MLS is Back Tournament once again.

This competition, of course, is a much smaller sample size than a regular season. San Jose need only be at their best for a series of matches, not an entire season. And so far, they have been, dispatching almost every team they have faced with consummate dominance. But will they reach the final before their legs run out?

The Orlando heat, the packed schedule, the increased quality of the opposition. It will get harder and harder for San Jose to replicate their style in each and every round. We will find out if they can do it for one more round on Saturday.