Game Day Hub: New York City vs San Jose in the Bronx

It's Matchday 16, and New York City are hosting San Jose Earthquakes at Yankee Soccer Stadium in a rare Friday night game.

New York City are riding a four-game winning streak that includes tough away matches against Toronto FC, Philadelphia Union, and New England Revolution, with a home win over New York Red Bulls thrown in for good measure. NYCFC have taken 12 out of a possible 15 points in their last five games, which puts the club's form at the very top of the league — they're even with FC Cincinnati and LAFC, and ahead of Conference leaders Inter Miami and Real Salt Lake.

In fact, the current four-game winning streak is tied for the second-best in club history. One more victory and this team will match the New York City record of five consecutive wins set back in 2019.

Like New York City, San Jose sat out the midweek games on Wednesday. Last Saturday, the Earthquakes managed a 1-1 draw with Austin FC at home that saw them climb out of the Western Conference basement and into 13th place.

The Earthquakes have just 11 points after 15 games, and allowed a league-worst 34 goals. But they beat Colorado on the road, and LAFC and Seattle Sounders at home — any team with striker Jeremy Ebobisse spearheading the attack is capable of earning a result.

New York City vs San Jose H2H

The head-to-head between these two clubs is short and sweet, at least if you support New York City: San Jose have never beaten NYCFC.

San Jose's sole point earned against New York City came way back in 2016, when they played to a scoreless draw in California at what was then known as Avaya Stadium. These teams last faced each other in 2022 when New York City left it late and scored in the 74th, 78th, and 88th minute to end the day with a 3-0 win in the Bronx.

New York City FC

• Player Availability: Rio Hope-Gund is still out recovering from injury, but significantly, Maxi Moralez is not listed as "Out" for the first time this season.
• Could the Argentine playmaker return to the Yankee Soccer Stadium pitch for the first time since tearing his ACL on it last August?

• One thing for sure, Matt Freese will start in goal. The shot-stopper is one of the key players behind New York City's near-historic run of form, and is establishing himself as one of the elite goalkeepers in MLS.

How NYCFC became one of the hottest teams in MLS

We take you through the five biggest reasons why New York City FC has picked up seven wins in eight matches and climbed to third place in the Eastern Conference.

Hudson River BlueAndrew Leigh

Ice, Ice Baby: Why Matt Freese is an elite goalkeeper

We look at the numbers behind Matt Freese’s rise to the top of MLS goalkeepers, and break down his biggest saves of the season.

Hudson River BlueMatthew Mangam

San Jose Earthquakes

• Player Availability: Goalkeeper Daniel (hamstring), winger Benjamin Kikanovic (hip), goalkeeper James Marcinkowski (ACL), and defender Jamar Ricketts (hip) are unavailable. In addition, right-back Carlos Akapo and left-back Vitor Costa are both suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
• The San Jose defense is leaky even when at full strength. As we mentioned in the introduction, the team have allowed a league-high 34 goals. So it follows that goalkeeper William Yarborough conceded a league-worst 2.3 goals per 90 mins.
• But Cristian Espinoza is a bright spot on the roster, as the creative midfielder can control the game. Forward Amahl Pellegrino has four goals this season, the same as striker Ebobisse.
• Want to learn more about this San Jose squad? Hudson River Blue's Matthew Mangam spoke with Jamon Moore of Quakes Epicenter for the latest edition of Oppo Research.

Oppo Research: 5 Things about San Jose Earthquakes

Jamon Moore of Quakes Epicenter tells us about San Jose’s defensive struggles, Cristian Espinoza’s creativity in the midfield, and why Yankee Stadium could benefit San Jose.

Hudson River BlueMatthew Mangam