The San Jose Earthquakes come to Portland Wednesday for the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup fourth round match (7:30pm PT, Stream: Timbers.com, TICKETS) having already had trouble preventing goals. The 25 they’ve conceded in 13 games this season ranks 22nd out of 23 MLS teams, in terms of goals allowed-per-game, and builds ignominiously on a 2017 campaign that saw opponents put 60 past San Jose goalkeepers. I think even the Earthquakes would agree, their goal prevention needs to improve.
Unfortunately for the MLS original, two of their best defensive players are going to be gone for the next month, at least.