San Jose Earthquakes wingback Jamar Ricketts says the team have high hopes of a long playoff run in MLS this season as they turn their attention to Minnesota United.

San Jose have won just one of their last five matches (D3 L1), but are still in with a good chance of making the playoffs as they currently sit seventh in the Western Conference.

Ricketts is targeting glory this season, but after being knocked out of the U.S. Open Cup on penalties by Austin FC in midweek, he has urged the team to attack their MLS matches with even more intent.

"We definitely have high aspirations," he said. "In our heads, we're playing playoffs no matter what.

"I think if we're going to make a good run and have the chance to really win the whole thing, I think we just need to fine-tune the small things and really come together and practice and keep being in unity.

"I think the coaching staff does a great job revealing who we're playing against and knowing what we need to do. We just need to be fully locked in for the whole 90 minutes."

Minnesota, meanwhile, sit third in the West, just two points below leaders San Diego FC after 21 matches.

The Loons are on a four-game unbeaten streak in all competitions since a heavy loss to San Diego and booked their place in the U.S. Open Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 win over Chicago Fire in extra time on Wednesday.

Head coach Eric Ramsay acknowledged that Minnesota need to work on closing out games better if they want to keep challenging this term.

"We are not a game who are in the habit of closing games out by being the dominant possession team," he said.

"And I think you can get drawn into a false narrative around that in the sense that the goals we have conceded later on live long in the memory, but we've also seen out countless games by defending well.

"It can cry out for us to show some more composure in certain moments. It's something we're working on, and I think we are seeing improvements in that sense."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Minnesota United – Anthony Markanich

Anthony Markanich scored his fourth goal of the season, notching the game-winner on July 4.

His four goals are tied for the most by an MLS defender in 2025 (also Alexander Freeman), and rank as the most by a Loons defender in a single regular season in club history, besting Ike Opara's three in 2019.

San Jose Earthquakes – Cristian Arango

Cristian Arango and Josef Martínez have scored four goals apiece on the road for San Jose in MLS this season, with both players scoring in their last road match.

Six other players have scored on the road for the 'Quakes in league play, but none of those players have scored more than once.

MATCH PREDICTION: MINNESOTA UNITED WIN

After losing each of the first four meetings in the fixture, Minnesota United have just one loss (W8 D4) in their last 13 matches against the Earthquakes in all competitions. The team's sole loss is the only match during that span that the Loons did not score a goal, as they have scored in 15 of the 17 meetings all-time.

Both Minnesota's goals in their 2-1 win against FC Dallas on July 4 came off set pieces. Minnesota have scored a league-high 16 goals off set pieces, including goals in each of their last three matches off throw-ins.

In their 11 league matches since the start of May, San Jose have lost just once (W4 D6), with the defeat being sandwiched by unbeaten streaks of six and four matches. The last time the Earthquakes had two unbeaten runs of five or more MLS games in the same season was in 2019.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Minnesota United – 57.3%

Draw – 22.2%

San Jose Earthquakes – 20.6%