SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes enter the 2012 MLS Cup playoffs with the league’s best record, a nine-match unbeaten streak and a keen awareness that neither of those accomplishments will mean a thing when they take field Sunday to open their Western Conference semifinal.

All it takes is a couple of momentary lapses, and just like the 2005 Quakes – the only other San Jose team to win the Supporters’ Shield – this year’s edition could find themselves knocked out long before the MLS Cup final.