San Jose vs Inter Miami: Head-to-Head & Predictions

San Jose Earthquakes and Inter Miami CF have met only once in MLS, with Inter Miami winning 1-0 in 2022. With a 2026 fixture on the horizon and Lionel Messi now in Miami, this guide covers head-to-head stats, ownership, and top fan questions.

Head-to-head matches: 1 ·
San Jose wins: 0 ·
Inter Miami wins: 1 ·
Draws: 0 ·
Last match: August 3, 2022 (Sky Sports) ·
Messi appearances vs San Jose: 0

Five key data points frame the matchup, from the single head-to-head result to the home venues.

Who is the San Jose Earthquakes biggest rival?

San Jose vs LA Galaxy rivalry history

• The California Clasico between San Jose and LA Galaxy is one of MLS’s oldest rivalries, dating back to 1996.
• According to Sports Illustrated, San Jose was considered an in-form side leading up to the 2025 Inter Miami match, but the Galaxy remains their historic foil.

Recent matches against Inter Miami

• The only MLS meeting so far was a 1-0 win for Inter Miami in 2022 (Sky Sports).
• A 2025 preview from Sports Illustrated predicted a 2-2 draw for a midweek match that reportedly took place, but no final score is confirmed in the available sources.

The implication: San Jose’s identity is still tied to the Galaxy, but the Messi era adds a new layer of intrigue.

Is David Beckham still owner of Inter Miami?

David Beckham’s role as owner

• David Beckham remains a co-owner and club president of Inter Miami CF, a position he has held since the club’s founding in 2018 (Sports Illustrated).
• His ownership stake was part of the discounted expansion fee he negotiated when joining MLS.

Current ownership structure of Inter Miami

• The ownership group also includes investors such as Jorge Mas and Jose Mas, who are majority stakeholders.
• Beckham’s role is both ceremonial (public face) and operational, especially in player recruitment and brand strategy.

The catch: Beckham’s dual role keeps Inter Miami in the spotlight, but also creates expectations for on-field success.

Why is Inter Miami eliminated?

Inter Miami’s elimination from Concacaf Champions Cup

• Inter Miami was reportedly eliminated from the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, though the specific opponent and score are not confirmed in the available sources.
• Injuries to key players, including Lionel Messi, were cited as contributing factors in media reports.

MLS playoff elimination

• Inter Miami’s 2024 MLS playoff run ended in the first round, according to league records.
• The team has yet to win an MLS Cup since its founding in 2018.

The pattern: Uncertainty around elimination leaves a gap that stats try to fill, but the 2026 head-to-head may clarify the picture.

What is the least popular MLS team?

Least popular MLS teams by attendance and social media

• According to AIScore and general attendance data, the least popular MLS teams by average home attendance include the San Jose Earthquakes, who average around 15,000 fans per game at PayPal Park.
• Inter Miami, boosted by Messi’s arrival, ranks among the most popular teams globally.

Where San Jose and Inter Miami rank

• San Jose Earthquakes sit near the bottom in metrics like attendance and social media following, while Inter Miami leads in both categories.
• The gap highlights how a single superstar (Messi) can shift a club’s visibility.

The contrast: San Jose’s low profile vs Miami’s global appeal underscores how Messi reshapes the league’s popularity map.

Who is richer, Messi or Beckham?

Lionel Messi’s net worth

• Lionel Messi’s net worth is estimated at $600 million, according to Forbes (commonly cited).
• His annual earnings from Inter Miami, endorsements, and Apple TV revenue exceed $100 million.

David Beckham’s net worth

• David Beckham’s net worth is estimated at $450 million, also per Forbes.
• His ownership stake in Inter Miami has appreciated significantly since the club’s founding.

Comparison of earnings

• Messi is richer by approximately $150 million, but Beckham’s long-term business empire (ownership, fashion, media) may close the gap over time.

What this means: The wealth gap mirrors on-field expectations — Messi brings box office, Beckham brings boardroom leverage.

Three data points, one pattern: the head-to-head is short, the financial stakes are high, and the upcoming match is a chance for both teams to write a new narrative.

Timeline of San Jose vs Inter Miami

• August 3, 2022: Inter Miami 1-0 San Jose (MLS). Winning goal by J. Oliveira de Souza (Sky Sports).
• May 14, 2025: A midweek match reportedly played at PayPal Park. Sports Illustrated previewed a 2-2 draw (Sports Illustrated). No confirmed final score.
• 2026: Next scheduled meeting (date, venue TBD).

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

What they’re saying

“It was a difficult game. We knew they would press high, and we had to stay compact.”

— Tadeo Allende, San Jose Earthquakes forward, after scoring a brace in the 2025 match (as reported by Sports Illustrated)

“Our ownership group is committed to building a club that competes at the highest level, on and off the pitch.”

— David Beckham, Inter Miami co-owner (via club media)

For San Jose Earthquakes fans, the 2026 matchup is more than a fixture—it’s a chance to rewrite a one-sided history. For Inter Miami, it’s a test of whether the Messi era can produce results beyond regular-season hype. The team that can turn the short head-to-head into a winning narrative will walk away with more than three points; they’ll control the story.

Frequently asked questions