Minnesota United at San Jose Earthquakes

What: U.S. Open Cup Round of 16
When: 9 p.m. Tuesday
Where: PayPal Park, San Jose, Calif.
Stream: CBS Sports Golazo Network and Paramount+
Weather: 65 degrees, clear skies, 13 mph south wind

Form: Since the MLS post-shootout era started in 2000, San Jose has become the first team in league history to win nine of its opening 10 games. With a 3-2 win over St. Louis last weekend, Bruce Arena’s team leads the Western Conference with 27 points. MNUFC (5-3-2, 17 points) had its six-match unbeaten streak in all competitions end with a 1-0 loss to LAFC on Saturday.

Path: San Jose beat USL side Phoenix Rising 2-0 on April 15 in the USOC round of 32 to reach this stage. A day earlier, Minnesota edged lower-level Sacramento Republic in 12 rounds of penalty kicks to advance. Earthquakes host this match due to a draw from cup organizers.

Storyline: Colombian superstar James Rodriguez pulled many playmaking strings during in his first MLS start Saturday. With exquisite set-piece delivery, he was credited with five scoring chances created and 0.8 expected assists. His teammates, however, converted none of them in the defeat.

Looking ahead, the performance from the 34-year-old attacking midfielder will push starters Tomas Chancalay and Joaquin Pereyra for playing time on Tuesday and into May.

“Now there are about six matches left before the World Cup and I’m very focused on everything that’s coming,” Rodriguez said postgame Saturday. “Whatever playing time I get, whether a lot or very little, I’m going to take it in the best way possible.”

Rodriguez is signed with MNUFC through the end of May, with a club option for  the rest of this 2026 season. The LAFC outing was the first on-field display that might encourage MNUFC to bring him back for the 19 matches after the World Cup.

Absences: Carlos Harvey (lower body), Julian Gressel (foot), Michael Boxall (adductor) and Peter Stroud (quad) are out.

Stats: The Loons netted 41% of its goals scored off of set pieces in 2025; that has fallen to 27% this season.

“We were certainly the beneficiary of that last year,” head coach Cameron Knowles said. “Sometimes there was a regression to the mean in that sense, and I still think we’re very, very dangerous in those moments.”

Scouting report: Minnesota had trouble scoring against LAFC and another stingy defense is up next in San Jose. Both clubs have given up six total goals across 10 league games.

The Earthquakes also are tied for the league lead in goals scored (25), and new German winger Timo Werner has hit the ground running with seven goal contributions in seven matches.

Flashback: The Loons’ “Kids Game” at Allianz Field last weekend came with players walking out pregame with their own children. For captain Wil Trapp, that meant his two boys and his baby daughter in tow. How was that experience?

“Heavy,” Trapp joked about carrying his youngest. “Those are special moments. Regardless of the result, it’s important to slow down and realize there are more important things at times in this sport. To have my kids out on the field is amazing.”

Prediction: San Jose has been an absolute juggernaut this season and it’s hard to pick against that kind of scorching form, especially with Minnesota’s winless run ending last weekend. San Jose advances to quarterfinals with a 2-1 win.