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Houston Dynamo vs. San Jose Earthquakes: Preview and How to Watch

By Jesse Tapia

Aug 19, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Houston Dynamo midfielder Alex (14) and San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Alberto Quintero (91) vie for possession in the first half at Avaya Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Houston Dynamo midfielder Alex (14) and San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Alberto Quintero (91) vie for possession in the first half at Avaya Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Dynamo and San Jose Earthquakes will match up Saturday with the Earthquakes having the chance to jump the Dynamo in the standings with a win.

The Houston Dynamo and San Jose Earthquakes will play against each other for the first time this season on Saturday. Both teams are right next to each other in the standings, which adds a little more intrigue. Houston currently sits in 4th and the Earthquakes in 5th with only a point separating the teams.

Houston drew with Minnesota in their last match with a score of 2-2. While San Jose is coming off of a short week and a 0-0 draw with New England on Wednesday.

Houston Dynamo

Apr 8, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; The Houston Dynamo pose for a team picture before the start of the first half against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; The Houston Dynamo pose for a team picture before the start of the first half against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports /
  • Current Record (W-L-D): 3-2-1
  • Last Time: 2-2 draw against Minnesota United FC
  • Player to Watch For: Erick “Cubo” Torres. Erick Torres currently leads the Dynamo in goals scored with six and has been scoring since the season started. The Earthquakes have a solid defense, but Torres will most likely give them fits. Expect Torres to come away with a goal or two in this match.
  • Why They Win: The Dynamo will come away with a win if they simply score multiple goals. They’ve had no problem doing so as they’ve only scored less than two once so far. The Earthquakes right now simply don’t have forwards who can score consistently nor keep up with a team that can at that pace.
  • Why They Don’t: If Houston starts out allowing San Jose to put pressure on the ball and control the game early on. San Jose are at their best when they can press and control the tempo of the match through the midfield. Houston needs to put their foot on the gas from the start or they’ll be in trouble.
  • Predicted Starting Xl: 

San Jose Earthquakes

Apr 19, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; The San Jose Earthquakes pose for a team photo before their game against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; The San Jose Earthquakes pose for a team photo before their game against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
  • Current Record (W-L-D): 2-2-3
  • Last Time Out: 0-0 draw at New England
  • Player to Watch For: Danny Hoesen. Danny Hoesen has come off of the bench for most of the season, but got the chance to start in the last match and he could have came away with a goal if it wasn’t for the post. Hoesen has been a spark when he has played, so expect him to start again since the Earthquakes forward’s have had trouble scoring this season.
  • Why They Win: If San Jose can put pressure early and get a goal or two, their midfield can control the match and the defenders can make plays when needed. It all depends on if the forwards want to finish this week because that’s something they’ve had trouble doing dating back to last season.
  • Why They Don’t: For the same reason it’s seemed to be since last year, the forwards have trouble finishing and getting into good scoring positions. Houston is a strong attacking team and if they get a couple of goals it would be hard for San Jose to keep up given their play as of late.
  • Predicted Starting Xl:

How to Watch: 

Where: BBVA Compass Stadium 

When: Saturday April 22, 4:00 pm ET

Channel: UniMas & Facebook

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