Key Takeaways
- The San Jose Earthquakes return from a two‑month hiatus caused by the FIFA World Cup™ to host Orlando City SC at PayPal Park on Wednesday, July 31, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. PT.
- The match will be televised globally on Apple TV (English/Spanish) and broadcast locally on KSFO 810 AM (English) and La Kaliente 1370 AM (Spanish).
- San Jose finished the first half of the 2026 MLS season strong, sitting tied for first in the Western Conference with 32 points after a 3‑1 win over Portland that clinched the club’s first victory at Providence Park in 20 tries.
- Head Coach Bruce Arena emphasized the break’s benefits: a chance to heal injuries and integrate new signings, including defenders Benji Kikanović, Jamar Ricketts, Reid Roberts, goalkeeper Angus Gunn, and striker Luka Jovanović.
- The Earthquakes traded starting goalkeeper Daniel to FC Dallas for up to $1 million in General Allocation Money (GAM) during the hiatus.
- Orlando City arrives in poor form, having conceded six goals in a loss to FC Cincinnati and sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference (4‑9‑2), but they are under new interim head coach Martín Perelman and feature Designated Player Martín Ojeda, who has 11 goals and one assist this season.
- A marquee subplot pits San Jose’s Timo Werner against Orlando’s Antoine Griezmann—the first MLS meeting of the two DP stars, who have faced each other four times internationally (France 2‑0‑2 Germany, with Griezmann leading 2‑1 in goals).
- The Earthquakes aim to secure their first home win over Orlando since a 3‑0 triumph on Aug. 31, 2019, and use the match as a springboard for a second‑half push toward the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
After a two‑month pause dictated by the FIFA World Cup™, the San Jose Earthquakes are set to resume MLS action on Wednesday, July 31, when they welcome Orlando City SC to PayPal Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT, and the game will be available to a worldwide audience on Apple TV (offering both English and Spanish feeds). Locally, fans can follow the match on KSFO 810 AM for English commentary and on La Kaliente 1370 AM for Spanish‑language coverage.
The Earthquakes concluded the first half of the 2026 season on a high note. A 3‑1 road victory over the Portland Timbers on May 23 lifted San Jose to 32 points, tying them with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC for the lead in the Western Conference. Preston Judd opened the scoring with a brace inside the first 12 minutes, bringing his season tally to 11 goals, while Daniel Munie added a 24th‑minute tap‑in for his third goal of the campaign. That win was historic: it marked San Jose’s first ever triumph at Providence Park after 20 previous MLS attempts.
Head Coach and Sporting Director Bruce Arena welcomed the break, noting that the squad “needed and deserved” the rest. He pointed out that the team had battled a number of injuries, and the hiatus would allow several players to return to full fitness, thereby strengthening the roster for the second half of the season. Arena used the interval to bolster the squad across multiple lines. He secured new contracts for defenders Benji Kikanović, Jamar Ricketts, and Reid Roberts. In a notable transaction, the Earthquakes traded starting goalkeeper Daniel to FC Dallas for up to $1 million in General Allocation Money (GAM). The proceeds helped fund the acquisition of Scotland international goalkeeper Angus Gunn, who most recently played for Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League. Arena capped off the off‑season activity by signing 21‑year‑old striker Luka Jovanović, the reigning Australian A‑League Golden Boot co‑winner, adding youthful firepower to the attack.
With a refreshed and healthier lineup, San Jose enters the second‑half opener with renewed momentum. The Earthquakes are eager to record their first home victory over Orlando City since a 3‑0 win on Aug. 31, 2019. Orlando, meanwhile, arrives at PayPal Park in a challenging stretch. The Lions suffered a heavy road loss to FC Cincinnati, conceding six goals, and currently sit 12th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 4‑9‑2. Under interim head coach Martín Perelman, Orlando has begun to reshape its identity. The team’s attacking thrust is led by Argentine Designated Player Martín Ojeda, who has netted 11 goals and contributed one assist this season, including a brace against FC Cincinnati that marked his fourth multi‑goal performance of the year. Supporting Ojeda are Colombian winger Iván Angulo and Brazilian forward Tiago, who together have tallied 10 assists in 2026.
An intriguing subplot adds extra spice to the Wednesday encounter: it will be the first MLS meeting between two of the league’s marquee Designated Players—San Jose’s Timo Werner and Orlando’s Antoine Griezmann. The pair have previously crossed paths four times on the international stage, with Griezmann’s France holding a 2‑0‑2 edge over Werner’s Germany. Griezmann also leads the head‑to‑head goalscoring duel, 2‑1. Their duel will be a focal point for fans and analysts alike, offering a glimpse of how two elite talents adapt to the MLS environment.
As PayPal Park finally opens its doors for MLS play, all eyes will be on the Earthquakes’ second‑half push for a berth in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. The blend of a rested squad, new acquisitions, and a historic rivalry subplot sets the stage for a compelling contest that could signal the beginning of a strong finish to San Jose’s 2026 campaign.