D.C. United (10-10-2) at San Jose (6-9-7), 10 p.m.

Santa Clara, CA (Sports Network) - The expansion San Jose Earthquakes continue their quest for a playoff spot in their return season to Major League Soccer when they host D.C. United at Buck Shaw Stadium on Saturday night.

The 'Quakes (6-9-7) have won three of their last four league fixtures, including the last three at home, to climb out of the Western Conference basement and get back into playoff contention.

San Jose's last MLS match was a 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Wizards last week.

"It was a good three points and an important time in the season to win," San Jose coach Frank Yallop said. "I thought we played well the first half, the first 20 minutes of the second was poor, we allowed Kansas City back into the game; but is great to come back and win the game in the end,. It is a sign of a good team that sticks together and doesn't quit."

D.C. United (10-10-2) is also battling for a playoff spot. Currently the club owns the first of two wild card spots earned by the top team teams that aren't in the top three in their conference table. United is riding high after capturing its second U.S. Open Cup title at mid week and will be looking to carry that momentum into league play.

"Getting a chance to run around with a trophy in front of our fans, who deserve it more than anybody, is a great feeling," D.C. coach Tom Soehn said. "You remember that stuff. There are a lot of things you forget but situations and moments like that you remember. You want to taste that again. I hope they all got a great taste of it because there are other things that we still have to accomplish."

D.C.'s last league match was a scoreless draw with the New York Red Bulls last weekend.

"I don't think we were very good with the ball in the first half," Soehn said of the draw at home. "We had to make a few adjustments. The game was there to take it. We've been better with the soccer part than in the first half so I was a little disappointed coming into the locker room because we talked a lot about possession. I think we got better in the second half."

D.C. will be without one of its better players Saturday - Jaime Moreno - because of international duty. Also out are forward Luciano Emilio, midfielders Jeff Carroll, Joe Vide and Ben Olsen and defender Gonzalo Peralta because of injury.

The 'Quakes will be without midfielder Ramiro Corrales and forward Gavin Glinton because of injuries.