What's at stake

Three points are on offer in MLS regular-season play on May 2, with immediate impact on each club's place in the table.

Home-field advantage and goal difference matter for playoff positioning and team momentum across a long season.

Who's in play

Toronto FC and San Jose Earthquakes provide the competing squads, with starting XI choices and bench depth deciding match control.

Key roles include the goalkeepers, central defenders, attacking midfielders and designated strikers who convert chances and defend set pieces.

What drives it

Injuries, recent form and lineup rotations are the primary levers shifting outcome probabilities.

Weather, travel fatigue, tactical tweaks from each coach, set-piece efficiency, and officiating decisions can swing a tight match.

What to watch

Kickoff time and the starting XI announcement about an hour before kickoff reveal tactical intent and rotation choices.

Track late injury reports, weather at the stadium, expected substitutions around 60–75 minutes, and VAR checks that can produce penalties or red cards.