Los Angeles FC head coach Steve Cherundolo has warned that his side "can be punished" for lapses in concentration, as they make the trip to San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.

LAFC saw a three-game unbeaten streak in MLS ended last time out by a 2-1 home defeat to San Diego FC, but their most recent away game ended in a 1-1 draw at FC Dallas.

Despite his home debut ending in defeat, new signing Son Heung-min has enjoyed a productive start to his time in LA, having registered two goal involvements in four MLS appearances so far (one goal, one assist).

Occupying fifth place in the Western Conference, LAFC have games in hand over the four teams above them as they look to book a postseason spot in the coming weeks. 

"We have reviewed the San Diego game. I felt bad for the players, who played very well. We implemented exactly what we wanted. I think if you play that game 10 times, you are going to win a lot of them," Cherundolo said. 

"I was really happy with the performance and the hard work they put in. 

"It is a transition moment. Because of the players they have, they have experience of sniffing out play. If we are not careful in transition, we can be punished."

Meanwhile, San Jose have picked up two wins and three defeats in their previous five outings. They edged the Houston Dynamo 2-1 last time out on the road, but were beaten 3-1 by Austin FC last time out.

Sitting ninth in the West with five games remaining, the Earthquakes also remain in the hunt for a playoff berth.

Yet, with four of their five remaining fixtures against sides currently in the top six of the West, San Jose must replicate the same form that saw them go unbeaten in eight games during May.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes – Cristian Espinoza

Cristian Espinoza has contributed to 17 goals (five scored, 12 assisted) against Los Angeles FC in regular-season MLS matches, the highest total by any player against this opponent since LAFC joined the league in 2018.

In league play this season, he has only netted four goals, but has also laid on eight assists, a team-high figure.

Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga

Denis Bouanga has netted five goals in seven career regular-season games against San Jose, making them one of five MLS teams he has scored at least five times against.

Since his league debut in August 2022, no other player has managed to score five or more goals against more than three different opponents.

MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC WIN

Los Angeles FC have won their last four matches against San Jose, all played in Southern California, while San Jose have claimed victory in their last six home games against LAFC since 2020.

LAFC remain unbeaten in eight straight away games, though six ended in draws – this is their longest regular-season unbeaten streak away from home and the best in MLS this season.

San Jose have scored and conceded in each of their last 13 regular-season matches, the longest such run since the 2016 Portland Timbers started with 14 consecutive games scoring and conceding. Additionally, there have been at least three goals in each of San Jose's last eight matches.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes – 25.7%

Draw – 23.3%

Los Angeles FC – 50.9%