Colorado Rapids v San Jose Earthquakes: Armas knows performances must add up

Chris Armas wants the Colorado Rapids' consistency of performance to translate into more points, as they look to climb into the playoff places against the San Jose Earthquakes.

The Rapids are eighth in the Western Conference with 16 points from 11 matches, only outside the automatic qualification places for the playoffs on goal difference.

They are winless in three games, however, with their progress stalling in draws against the Houston Dynamo (2-2) and Seattle Sounders (1-1), then losing 2-1 to D.C. United last week.

Armas, who missed Colorado's last game due to technical problems with his flight after being inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame earlier in the day, is eager for them to get back on track.

"It's good to be thinking about another home game and another big week coming up, a three-game week that finishes up against Salt Lake," he said.

"We want to get back to winning ways, we had some good performances before the D.C. game and it's time for us to start making some of that stuff add up to points. Then we can start creeping up the standings."

San Jose trounced the Portland Timbers 4-1 last week and are 10th in the West, three points adrift of the Rapids, and Armas expects a difficult assignment.

"There's a lot to play for, we know we'll have our hands full with San Jose coming in, they play with a lot of intensity," he added.

"They can hurt you in transition, they are a talented group, so well-coached, and I think they're playing with a lot of belief."

 

 

 

 

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Coach Bruce Arena, meanwhile, feels the 'Quakes are finally starting to get the returns their displays have warranted for much of the season. 

"We've had other games where we should have walked away with a point or three and failed," Arena said.

"We're only 11 games in, there's a lot ahead. We're making progress and hopefully we can be a little bit more consistent."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic 

Mihailovic has scored in each of his last three home matches, totalling four goals in those games. 

The only Rapids player to score in four or more consecutive home matches since the start of the 2023 season was Rafael Navarro, who scored in five straight at home between May and June last season.

San Jose Earthquakes – Cristian Arango

Four Earthquakes players (DeJuan Jones, Ousseni Bouda, Cristian Espinoza and Arango) recorded multiple goal contributions in their win over Portland last week. 

It marked the seventh time in team history that four players recorded multiple goal contributions in a single match, and Arango's goal was his seventh in MLS this season – no player has more.

MATCH PREDICTION – COLORADO RAPIDS WIN

San Jose's 3-2 win at Colorado last May ended a 12-match winless run for the Earthquakes at Colorado (D6 L6) that dated back to 2014.

The visiting side has won each of the last three meetings between Colorado and San Jose, including a 2-1 Rapids victory at PayPal Park on March 15. 

However, that could change this weekend. 

Colorado have lost only one of their six home matches in all competitions in 2025 (W3 D2), including going unbeaten in three straight at Dick's Sporting Goods Park (W2 D1).

San Jose, meanwhile, have lost 18 of their 23 away matches in all competitions (W3 D2) since the start of last season, including dropping the last three in a row.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Colorado Rapids – 58.2%

San Jose Earthquakes – 20.1%

Draw – 21.7%