Bruce Arena knows the San Jose Earthquakes face a "critically important" regular-season run-in.

With three games remaining in the regular season, the Earthquakes sit fourth in MLS' Western Conference.

While they are sure of a postseason spot, they have not yet qualified for the playoffs, as they could still finish in the wildcard slots.

That is due to a run of just one win in six games, while they lost 3-0 to FC Dallas last time out.

All three goals San Jose Earthquakes conceded in their loss to Dallas were scored after the 80th minute. It was the first time in club history that they have lost a match by three or more goals despite not allowing a goal before the 75th minute.

San Jose host the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, before taking on Real Salt Lake on home turf and then rounding out the regular season with a trip to Minnesota United.

And Arena knows how vital the next two games at home are as his team aim to rediscover a winning touch.

"Yes, those are two important home games," he said.

"We'll take the first one and try to get three points, but certainly they're critically important."

IMPACT MOMENT tayt ianni etched his name in quakes history with the club’s first-ever playoff goal. the next chapter of quakes history is waiting to be written brace for impact https://t.co/uM8PM8H76n

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) October 27, 2026

San Jose had their chances against Dallas, but they lacked a clinical touch in front of his goal.

"Both teams had chances. That's all part of the exercise," Arena said.

"You know, you got to finish your chances, and we knew it was going to be a tight game, and it turned out to be that. So not being able to convert a quality chance makes a difference in the game."

The Rapids sit eighth in the West, and are not yet sure of their place in the playoffs.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes – Preston Judd

Judd has 16 MLS goals to his name this year.

He has had 65 shots in the league, which is 31 more than any other Rapids player this season.

Colorado Rapids – Morgan Whitaker

Whitaker scored the lone goal in Colorado's win over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, his third goal since debuting for the club in September.

Three players have combined to score nine of the Rapids' 11 goals since the start of September, with Whitaker, Paxten Aaronson and Donavan Philip with three apiece.

MATCH PREDICTION: SAN JOSE WIN

The Rapids have lost only one of their last eight matches (W2 D5).

Colorado have kept a clean sheet in each of their last eight wins, last winning a match in which they conceded a goal on April 11 against the Houston Dynamo (6-2).

The Earthquakes won nine of their first 10 matches this season (L1) through the end of April but have managed four wins in 21 regular-season matches since (D9 L8).

In fact, the Earthquakes had four more points through the end of April (27) than they have managed from May through now (21).

Plus, the Rapids have won their last two away matches against San Jose after winning only two of their previous 21 road matches against them (D8 L11).

However, Opta's model is backing San Jose to take the points..

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes – 47.2%

Draw – 26.3%

Colorado Rapids – 26.5%