Bruce Arena expressed his excitement about the young players within the ranks at the San Jose Earthquakes, following last weekend's victory over San Diego FC.

The Earthquakes' impressive start to the season continued at PayPal Park last time out, with a 3-0 win headlined by Niko Tsakiris' brace and Preston Judd's goal in the first half. 

Tsakiris had already become the third-youngest player to feature for San Jose in the MLS when he made his debut in 2022, though he did not immediately kick on from there.

However, the 20-year-old's double against San Diego showcased his talent, with his second goal teed up by Beau Leroux, who is just two years older than his compatriot. 

The likes of Reid Roberts and Benji Kikanovic have also impressed Arena, who heaped praise on his talented youngsters ahead of facing Sporting Kansas City this weekend. 

"Fantastic. We really missed Niko last year, because he was hurt for a good part of the year, and then in the fall, he had a number of national team call-ups," Arena said.

"He scored an important goal against Austin, so you know, his development has been great, so we're really pleased with that.

"I think the same could be said for Beau Leroux and Reid Roberts. His first year playing full time has been very good. Benji Kikanovic has grown into his position.

"Ronaldo Vieira is a real pro. Preston Judd has been very good. Ousseni Bouda has improved. And so, you know, a lot of positive things.

"But I'm well aware of the fact that this is just the start. We should have this conversation in August and see how everything is then. So to date, you know, things are positive."  

The Earthquakes will be confident of continuing their promising start against a Sporting KC side that are currently bottom of the Western Conference. 

Raphael Wicky's side have won just one of their first six MLS matches this season, with a 3-1 defeat against Real Salt Lake last time out already their fourth loss of 2026. 

Only four teams have conceded more goals than Sporting KC's 14 so far this term, while their six goals scored also ranks them in the bottom five across both conferences. 

Wicky acknowledged that his team have yet to find their rhythm, conceding they are making it too easy for their opponents. 

"If we just take the performance from the first half, that is the reality and the players know that is not good enough," Wicky said. "We gave away way too many balls. 

"It came in our own half under no real pressure and for no reason, really, so we have to start with that. I think that is something that we have spoken about to the players. 

"It is something we have spoken about a lot in the past as well. We're giving away too many easy chances. That is something we really have to change moving forward."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Sporting KC – Dejan Jovelijic

Jovelijic has netted four MLS goals so far this season, and you would fancy him to add to that tally here, given he has netted seven times against San Jose in his career.

Only Los Angeles FC's Denis Bouanga (eight) has scored more goals against the Earthquakes since Joveljic arrived in MLS back in 2021.

SJ Earthquakes – Niko Tsakiris

Tsakiris scored his first career brace in the Quakes' win over San Diego last Saturday and in doing so, created a little bit of history.

He became the second Earthquakes player to record a brace in MLS play prior to turning 21 years old, joining MLS legend Landon Donovan (four times including the playoffs).

MATCH PREDICTION: SJ EARTHQUAKES WIN

San Jose have won two of their last three meetings with Sporting KC, including a 3-0 victory at PayPal Park in each team's 2026 season opener. The Earthquakes are looking to sweep the season series against this weekend's opponents for the first time since doing so in 2015.

The Earthquakes also recorded their fifth shutout of the season against San Diego, equalling last season's total of clean sheets already. No team in MLS history has notched a shutout victory in each of their first three road games of a season.

But dating back to last year, Sporting KC are winless in their last six home games (D2 L4), equalling the longest home regular-season winless streak in club history (also 2024).

Three of the club's six all-time home winless streaks of at least five regular-season games have come over the last three campaigns.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Sporting KC – 31.2%

Draw – 25.2%

SJ Earthquakes – 43.6%