Los Angeles FC v San Jose Earthquakes: Cherundolo focused on what he can control

Steve Cherundolo wants Los Angeles FC to focus on their own game as they look to secure top spot against the San Jose Earthquakes.

LAFC can finish top of the Western Conference if they win by a two-goal margin and LA Galaxy lose to Houston Dynamo on Saturday.

Cherundolo’s side kept themselves in contention going into the final day by snatching a late 2-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps, extending their winning streak to four games.

And though the head coach would like to finish top of the pile, he acknowledged that it was largely out of LAFC’s hands.

“We don’t spend a lot of time discussing scenarios,” he said. “I think for us the important thing is to enjoy the weekend, and obviously, that is trying to win the game with a two-goal advantage.

“What happens elsewhere we’ll obviously be monitoring, but not closely. We’re better off focusing on ourselves.

“We’ve won a couple of games in a row now and to finish the season on a high with a win is important. We’re focused on what we know we do well and that’s great preparation.”

No matter the result, San Jose will finish bottom of the table, with the worst result of any team in MLS.

Interim head coach Ian Russell is looking to salvage some pride in their final outing and is hoping to use their win over LAFC earlier this season as motivation.

“It’s a tough test – LAFC are a good team,” he said.

“We typically match up well against them, but we need to go down there, play good football, defend well, limit their chances and try to hurt them.”

Back home Decision Day#LAFC | @Ticketmaster

— LAFC (@LAFC) October 16, 2024

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LAFC – Mateusz Bogusz

Mateusz Bogusz scored his 15th goal of the season in LAFC’s win over Vancouver on Sunday.

Bogusz is the fifth different LAFC player to score 15 goals in a season while no other team has more than three different players with a 15-goal season since the club joined MLS in 2018.

San Jose Earthquakes – Daniel

San Jose have conceded 75 goals this season, tied with FC Cincinnati in 2019 for the most in a single season in MLS history.

Cincinnati had allowed 75 goals after 33 matches that season but kept a clean sheet against D.C. United in their final match and Daniel will be hoping to do the same, so the visitors can go out on a high.

MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC WIN

LAFC have won nine of their 11 all-time home matches against San Jose (D1 L1), including a 4-1 win in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 on August 13. LAFC have scored at least three goals in seven of the 11 meetings at BMO Stadium.

In fact, LAFC have lost only one of their last 11 games played in October, November and December dating back to last season (W9 D1), with the lone defeat coming in the MLS Cup Final at Columbus Crew last December.

Meanwhile, the Earthquakes enter the final match of the season with 24 losses, tied for the most outright defeats in a single season in MLS history (along with D.C. United in 2013, excluding breakaway shootout losses).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LAFC – 73.9%

Draw – 15.2%

San Jose Earthquakes – 10.9%