Some quick notes from Earthquakes training this morning: I'll save you my usual lengthy tome for a more condensed bullet-point presentation. Cue the overhead projector!
- A Quakes spokesperson shared that Ike Opara will be available this weekend for the match against Chivas USA. He will be arriving in Los Angeles on his white steed (with "United Airlines" painted on the side) from North Carolina on Friday. Coach Frank Yallop said they'll evaluate his readiness before declaring him part of the starting XI. I think it is safe to say that if Opara is there, he will start.
- With Opara back in the fold, the starting line-up against Chivas USA should remain unchanged from the 2-0 victory over New England. Yallop has a habit of rewarding good play, and likes to see consistency in his line-up.
- Scott Sealy is fully participating in drills and scrimmages this week. Yallop revealed the forward should be available to be on the substitutes' bench on Saturday. Omar Jasseh, he of the broken wrist suffered last week against Real Salt Lake, continues to train at full speed and should also be available.
- The trio of injured forwards -- Eduardo, Arturo Alvarez, and Cornell Glen -- continue to train on the side, eschewing the ball for more mobility drills. Yallop doubts any of the three will be available Saturday, but when Alvarez was asked directly, he smiled and crossed his fingers, then added a "We'll see!"
- Steve Beitashour should continue to start for the Quakes at right back, but Chris Leitch is ready to step in if necessary. Both players are in full health, so going with Beitashour is a coach's decision at this time.
- The Quakes have not enjoyed their visits to the Home Depot Center since rejoining the league in 2008. Having gone 0-3-2 against both Chivas USA and the Los Angeles Galaxy in Carson over the last two years, the team hopes to break that slide on Saturday and earn all three points. Yallop and Jason Hernandez shared their thoughts on the difficulty of playing at the HDC -- listen to this week's upcoming podcast for all those details. Meanwhile, what do you expect of the Earthquakes this weekend on the wide open HDC field?