San Jose Earthquakes head coach Bruce Arena expressed being 'pleasantly surprised' by the impact of rookie Beau Leroux this season, who has played 20 games, started 17, scored four goals, and provided three assists.

After spending the previous season with the Earthquakes' MLS NEXT Pro team, Leroux signed a new deal with San Jose for the 2025 season, quickly establishing himself as a regular starter.

Reflecting on his journey, Leroux described the surreal experience of transitioning from watching MLS games from the stands to scoring goals on the field.

In recent matches, Leroux scored the only goal in a 1-1 draw against LA Galaxy and contributed to a 4-2 victory against FC Dallas, showcasing his growing influence on the team.

The Earthquakes currently stand sixth in the Western Conference, having lost only one of their last ten matches, and are set to face the New York Red Bulls, who are eighth in the Eastern Conference and have not won in their last three games.

Cristian Arango leads the Earthquakes with 10 goals this season, while Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is the standout player for the Red Bulls, having scored 11 goals, tying him for third in the league.

The last encounter between the Earthquakes and the Red Bulls ended in a 1-1 draw in April 2023, indicating a competitive rivalry.

Match predictions suggest a draw, as San Jose is unbeaten in their last six home games, while New York has an unbeaten streak against San Jose since 2017.

Arena praised Leroux's performance and noted his consistent improvement throughout the season, highlighting his impressive goal total for a player in his position.

During his college career, Leroux had a standout sophomore season, earning All-WAC First Team honors and scoring seven goals in 19 games before a knee injury impacted his junior year.

As of July 2025, the Earthquakes are positioned as playoff contenders, significantly improving from a poor 2024 season.

Beau Leroux, a former midfielder at San Jose State, is enjoying a successful rookie season in Major League Soccer (MLS) after being drafted 42nd overall by the San Jose Earthquakes.