Prolific Earthquakes boast firepower to match Messi, Inter Miami

Inter Miami may possess the most electric player in Lionel Messi, but no MLS team finds the back of the net more than the San Jose Earthquakes.

San Jose attempts to continue its stunning goal-scoring prowess when it hosts Messi and struggling Inter Miami on Wednesday night.

Messi has scored a team-leading five goals in MLS play, but Inter Miami (6-2-3, 21 points) isn't in sync. The Herons have dropped two of their past three MLS matches and four of five across all competitions.

"I'm not going to be a hypocrite here and say everything's fine because, obviously, we don't like losing," Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said earlier this week. "I understand that we've lost four of the last five games and that there are things that need to be corrected."

Miami was whipped 4-1 by host Minnesota United FC on Saturday as Messi scored the lone goal. It marked the second time over its last three MLS matches that the club allowed four goals.

Miami stands in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The team flew from Minnesota to San Jose after Saturday's loss as opposed to flying home and then facing another long flight.

Meanwhile, San Jose (5-6-1, 16 points) has won three straight matches in all competitions, including two MLS games, behind its potent offense. The Earthquakes have outscored opponents 8-2 during their hot streak and have 26 goals on the league season.

"We're getting better and, obviously, when you win three games in a row, there's a consistency there," said Earthquakes coach Bruce Arena. "The group's getting better. We've got a long way to go, but I'm pleased with the progress we're making."

Chicho Arango is tied for the MLS lead with eight goals and Josef Martinez has six. Cristian Espinoza has four goals and is tied for the league lead with seven assists.

Recently acquired DeJuan Jones and Arango scored the goals in Saturday's 2-0 road victory over the Colorado Rapids. Jones has fit in quickly and has one goal and two assists in three matches since arriving from the Columbus Crew.

"There's a lot of space, a lot of (one-on-ones), a lot of crossing opportunities," Jones said. "I knew that once I got here, and just building chemistry with my teammates, that I could be the guy delivering the passes, or even the guy finishing the goals."

Inter Miami won the lone previous meeting, 1-0 in August 2022 at San Jose.