San Jose Earthquakes vs Houston Dynamo FC: Match Preview, Live Stream, Kick-off Time & How to Watch
San Jose Earthquakes host Houston Dynamo FC at PayPal Park in San Jose on September 12, 2026 at 10:30 PM ET in a pivotal MLS Western Conference fixture. The match carries contrasting implications for both clubs as they navigate the latter stages of the regular season.
How to Watch San Jose Earthquakes vs Houston Dynamo FC
The game will be broadcast exclusively on Apple TV, which holds the rights to every MLS match in 2026. The match is included as part of a standard Apple TV subscription with no local or national blackout restrictions. This means subscribers can stream the game live without geographic limitations within the broadcast territory.
Match Context & Team News
San Jose Earthquakes: Building Momentum at Home
Bruce Arena’s side sits fifth in the Western Conference and enters this fixture on the back of a morale-boosting 3-2 victory over San Diego FC on September 10. That result snapped a difficult run and gave the Earthquakes genuine belief heading into this home encounter.
Team News: Bruce Arena has not confirmed a probable lineup ahead of this fixture. No injuries or suspensions are currently listed for San Jose Earthquakes, and updates will be added closer to kick-off as further information becomes available.
Houston Dynamo FC: Consistency at the Top
Ben Olsen’s team occupies second place in the Western Conference and has lost just once in their last five matches, grinding out results with a disciplined defensive structure. The Dynamo’s most recent outing produced a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake on September 10, a result that keeps them firmly in the mix at the top of the West.
Team News: Ben Olsen has similarly not released confirmed team news for Houston Dynamo FC. No players are listed as unavailable for the away side at this stage, and further squad information is expected as the match approaches.
Recent Form Guide
San Jose Earthquakes (Last 5 MLS Matches)
- W 3-2 vs San Diego FC (Sep 10)
- D 1-1 at Austin FC (Sep 6)
- D 0-0 vs Houston Dynamo FC (Aug 30)
- L 5-1 at Minnesota United
- L 1-0 vs LA Galaxy
Record: 1 Win, 2 Draws, 2 Losses | Goals: 5 Scored, 10 Conceded
Houston Dynamo FC (Last 5 MLS Matches)
- W 2-1 vs Real Salt Lake (Sep 10)
- D 0-0 vs Charlotte FC (Sep 5)
- L 2-1 at St. Louis City (Aug 23)
- W vs Vancouver Whitecaps
- D 0-0 vs San Jose Earthquakes (Aug 30)
Record: 2 Wins, 2 Draws, 1 Loss | Goals: 4 Scored, 3 Conceded
Head-to-Head Record
The head-to-head record between these clubs is tight. The most recent meeting ended 0-0 at Shell Energy Stadium on August 30, 2026. San Jose will be looking to use home advantage to tip the balance in their favour.
Last Five Meetings
- Aug 30, 2026: Houston Dynamo FC 0-0 San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
- Aug 2025: San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 Houston Dynamo FC (at Houston)
- May 2025: San Jose Earthquakes 3-3 Houston Dynamo FC (at PayPal Park)
- Jul 2024: Houston Dynamo FC 1-0 San Jose Earthquakes (at San Jose)
- Mar 2024: Houston Dynamo FC 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes (at Houston)
Summary: Each side holds two wins with one draw across the last five meetings. Goal tally: San Jose 7, Houston 5.
Western Conference Standings Context
In the MLS Western Conference table, Houston Dynamo FC sit second while San Jose Earthquakes are placed fifth. Both teams are in contention for CONCACAF Champions League qualification spots, adding further weight to this encounter.
How to Watch with a VPN
If you are travelling abroad or want to access your usual streaming services from a different location, you may encounter geo-restrictions. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help bypass these blocks.
A VPN, such as ExpressVPN, establishes a secure, encrypted connection online. By virtually changing your location to a country where the game is being broadcast, you can watch your favourite team live. You can also consult our guide to the best VPNs for streaming sports.
Step-by-Step VPN Guide
- Download & Install: Sign up to ExpressVPN or another reputable VPN service and download the app on your device.
- Connect to a Server: Open the app and select a server location where the match is being shown (e.g., if you are in the UK but want to watch a US stream, connect to a US server).
- Clear Cache: Sometimes your browser holds onto your old location. Clear your cookies or refresh your browser to ensure the change takes effect.
- Start Streaming: Go to your broadcaster’s website or app and enjoy the game.
How to Watch on the Big Screen
Watching on your phone or laptop is fine, but live sports belongs on the big screen. Here is how to get the VPN working on your TV:
Smart TVs & Fire Stick
Most Android-based TVs and devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecast with Google TV have native VPN apps. Simply search for your VPN provider in the app store on your TV, log in, and connect just like you would on your phone.
Apple TV, Roku & Consoles
These devices often don’t support direct VPN apps. The easiest workaround is to use Smart DNS (usually found in your VPN account settings) or Mirror/Cast the stream from your VPN-connected phone or laptop to your TV.
