San Jose Earthquakes performed D.C. United within the first-ever MLS recreation 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 gained 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 high in a 1-0 victory, and he shall be hoping his staff can get again to successful 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 finished that. Clearly, there’s much more to do,” Area, 73, stated forward of Sunday’s recreation.
“It’s been a privilege to be a part of this. I’ve coached the Olympic staff, the nationwide staff, and 4 groups now in MLS. It’s been an important expertise for me to be a part of that.
“I’m joyful to nonetheless be round 30 years later. Hopefully, I’m round, let’s not say, one other 30 years, however hopefully a bit bit longer as nicely.”
Season 1 Season 30
A full circle second awaits when San Jose and D.C. meet Sunday, 29 years for the reason that league’s inaugural match: https://t.co/ZRtj7k3Mqk pic.twitter.com/znxRbz7dkY
— Main League Soccer (@MLS) April 5, 2025
D.C. have gained simply as soon as to date 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 unimaginable weekend for our membership and the league,” he stated.
“I can bear in mind watching this recreation once I was 12 years outdated and looking for soccer wherever and all over the place, and there wasn’t lots of it. I can vividly bear in mind it.
“We wish to have a good time this weekend, our membership’s legacy, and the impression that staff has had. We wish to have a good time it with a superb 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 towards D.C. United, equaling his most towards any opponent (additionally vs. New England Revolution and Orlando Metropolis).
No participant has scored extra targets towards 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 gained their final dwelling match towards D.C. United 4-1 in 2021. San Jose have recorded consecutive dwelling 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%
