San Jose Earthquakes: What to expect from their next five games
By Ivan Ornelas
Game 5 vs Seattle
Game Info: 9/10 7 pm vs Seattle Sounders @ CenturyLink Field
A much needed 5-day break precedes a rematch against the 2019 MLS Cup Winners Seattle Sounders, who have a point to prove following their crushing elimination from the MLS is Back Tournament at the hands of LAFC. Despite that loss, the Sounders still have one of the most formidable attacks in the league consisting of Nicolas Lodeiro, Raul Ruidiaz, and Jordan Morris.
Their one Achilles Heel is their defense, with some unconvincing options such as Xavier Arreaga and Shane O’Neill possibly partnering the more solid Yeimar Gomez Andrade. Though the San Jose Earthquakes played well against the Sounders in Group B, playing against them in CenturyLink Field, even if it is empty, is a different beast.
Prediction: 2-1 loss
Game 6 vs LA Galaxy
Game Info: 9/13 8 pm @ Earthquakes Stadium
It is tough to beat any team twice in close succession, particularly your biggest rivals (from a Quakes perspective, acknowledging LAFC have become a more fierce rival for the Galaxy in recent years). This Bay Area-based clash against the 5-time MLS Cup champions will feel significantly different, as the Galaxy are usually greeted by huge home support filling up Stanford Stadium. An incredible setting for some of the league’s most memorable games throughout its 25-year history.
The situation calls for a different vibe, and it’ll be a big test to see if after all of this travel and coming off of a difficult game against the Sounders will the Quakes have enough energy to muster a positive result?
Prediction: 3-2 win
Goal Setting
Based on these predictions, the San Jose Earthquakes would obtain 10 out of a possible 18 points from these six games. At the time of writing, the Quakes are 7th in the MLS Western Conference with 8 points in 5 games.
The goal of this season is to make the playoffs, and with a lot of formatting still up in the air, that type of point obtaining pace is the minimum goal in order to give themselves a decent chance of having something to play for.
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It will be tougher without Magnus Eriksson, but this club at its best has always been more than the sum of its parts. No matter who lines up in Black and Blue, man-marking and 100% effort will be expected and hopefully, that effort turns into results.