San Jose Earthquakes v D.C. United: Arena ´privileged´ to be part of special MLS anniversary

San Jose Earthquakes performed D.C. United within the first-ever MLS sport on April 6, 1996, with Bruce Area on the touchline for the latter.

Thirty seasons later, and 29 years to the day, he’ll take cost of the Earthquakes within the anniversary match.

San Jose received their first two matches underneath Area this season however have since gone winless of their final 4, leaving them tenth within the Western Convention.

Area misplaced that match in 1996, with San Jose popping out on prime in a 1-0 victory, and he might be hoping his group can get again to profitable methods on a special occasion.

“It was an thrilling time, and the purpose was to actually elevate the game in our nation, and I feel 30 years later, we’ve completed that. Clearly, there’s much more to do,” Area, 73, stated forward of Sunday’s sport.

“It’s been a privilege to be a part of this. I’ve coached the Olympic group, the nationwide group, and 4 groups now in MLS. It’s been an ideal expertise for me to be a part of that.

“I’m comfortable to nonetheless be round 30 years later. Hopefully, I’m round, let’s not say, one other 30 years, however hopefully slightly bit longer as effectively.”

Season 1 Season 30

A full circle second awaits when San Jose and D.C. meet Sunday, 29 years because the league’s inaugural match: https://t.co/ZRtj7k3Mqk pic.twitter.com/znxRbz7dkY

— Main League Soccer (@MLS) April 5, 2025

D.C. have received simply as soon as to this point this season, leaving them twelfth within the Japanese Convention.

Like their opponents, they’re additionally on a winless streak, having didn’t emerge victorious from any of their final three outings.

D.C. head coach Troy Lesesne is delighted to be on the touchline for the distinctive event, recalling his reminiscences of that first match.

“It’s an unbelievable weekend for our membership and the league,” he stated.

“I can keep in mind watching this sport after I was 12 years outdated and looking for soccer anyplace and all over the place, and there wasn’t lots of it. I can vividly keep in mind it.

“We need to rejoice this weekend, our membership’s legacy, and the impression that group has had. We need to rejoice it with a great efficiency. It’s fairly surreal to be part of this.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes – Josef Martinez

Josef Martinez has scored eight targets in 14 profession regular-season appearances in opposition to D.C. United, equaling his most in opposition to any opponent (additionally vs. New England Revolution and Orlando Metropolis).

No participant has scored extra targets in opposition to D.C. United since Martinez made his MLS debut in 2017.

D.C. United – Christian Benteke

Christian Benteke scored D.C. United’s lone purpose of their 2-1 defeat to Columbus Crew.

Benteke has scored 11 targets in regular-season play since MLS returned from the Leagues Cup break final season, as solely New York Metropolis FC’s Alonso Martinez (12) has extra in that point.

See you quickly, San Jose! pic.twitter.com/1OdkWdhbVO

— D.C. United (@dcunited) April 4, 2025

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

The Earthquakes received their final house match in opposition to D.C. United 4-1 in 2021. San Jose have recorded consecutive house wins over D.C. simply as soon as, doing so in April-June 1996, with the primary of these coming within the first match ever performed in MLS historical past.

After opening the season with consecutive wins, San Jose have collected only one level from their final 4 matches. The Earthquakes scored six occasions of their first two matches however have managed simply three whole targets in 4 matches since.

As for D.C., after opening the season unbeaten in 4 matches (W1 D3), they’ve misplaced two in a row. That is the primary time D.C. have misplaced consecutive regular-season matches since early July final season.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes – 38.2%

Draw – 26.5%

D.C. United – 35.3%