San Jose Earthquakes and Necaxa play all or nothing in the Leagues Cup

When we talk about the Leagues Cup, what comes to mind is the excitement of a competition that pits the best of North American and Mexican soccer against each other. And this Thursday, the San Jose Earthquakes host Club Necaxa in a match that promises to be all or nothing. A duel that goes far beyond the four lines, where tactics, race and strategy intertwine in a minefield of uncertainty.

PayPal Park will be the stage for this decisive battle, where the Earthquakes, second in West 2, face West 6 leaders Necaxa. Necaxa, buoyed by their recent win over the Seattle Sounders, will be coming into the game on a high, but they'll be up against a San Jose side who, despite their ups and downs, have home advantage. Ah, playing at home... something that makes all the difference, especially when you have the support of a passionate crowd, as we saw in the match against Chivas, which attracted more than 50,000 fans, even though the majority were there to cheer against.

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Speaking of support, the atmosphere of this match will be a crucial factor. If in the match against Chivas the Earthquakes found themselves playing almost like visitors in their own stadium, this time the crowd promises to be mostly in their favor. This could be the difference in a game that starts out evenly matched on paper, but in practice could go either way. After all, we're talking about soccer, and as we know, in this sport, the unpredictable is the only certainty.

On the San Jose side, the name of the game is Jeremy Ebobisse. The striker has shown that he's not messing around, with two goals in two games and a confidence that seems unshakable. With his confidence high and his tactics well adjusted, as coach Ian Russell rightly commented, the Earthquakes have an important asset in their hands. And let's not forget, confidence is a factor that, in many cases, is worth more than technique.

Necaxa, on the other hand, have a well-defined strategy: a lethal counter-attack. In the match against Seattle, they showed that even with only 28% possession, they are capable of dismantling any defense with surgical efficiency. And if the San Jose Earthquakes are to come out of this match victorious, they'll have to watch out for every move made by Los Rayos' swift and incisive attacks. Russell even made a point of highlighting Necaxa's quality, recognizing the danger their opponents pose.

But Necaxa aren't just attacking. Defensively, the Mexicans have also shown solidity, something the Earthquakes will need to break down if they want to stay alive in the competition. This is where tactical discipline and patience come in. Knowing the right time to attack, without exposing themselves too much to dangerous counter-attacks, will be key to the home team's success.

And in the midst of this tactical analysis, we can't forget the weight of history. Necaxa, with its more than 100 years of tradition, carries in its DNA the spirit of struggle and the quest for great achievements. Meanwhile, the San Jose Earthquakes, despite being in their first Leagues Cup knockout stage, are looking to write a new chapter in their history, building on the foundation of a squad that is gradually gaining body and consistency.
Of course, it's not all flowers. San Jose still have to overcome the flaws that LA Galaxy exposed in their last group game. Defending is the team's Achilles heel, as Seattle Sounders coach Schmetzer rightly pointed out. The challenge will be to find a balance between maintaining a solid defense and exploiting the gaps that Necaxa will inevitably leave when looking to counter-attack.

On the other hand, Necaxa know that to advance they will need to repeat the formula that worked so well against Seattle. It will take focus, discipline and, above all, the coolness to take advantage of the chances that we know will be few. And in games like this, efficiency is everything.

So what can we expect from this match? A real battle, where every detail can make the difference. San Jose Earthquakes will have their fans and the home factor in their favor, while Necaxa will bring their experience and efficiency. Who will come out on top? It's hard to say. But what is certain is that whoever watches this match will certainly see a spectacle worthy of the great competitions.