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We are in for a familiar set-up for the San Jose Earthquakes starting XI today, as they face Sporting Kansas City at 5:30 p.m. Pacific time. While much of the action will be on the field, plenty of attention will be given to the gorgeous Livestrong Sporting Park stadium. With the Earthquakes own stadium still being designed prior to initial approval from the San Jose planning commission, now is a great time to take notes on a facility that already is being called by some the best soccer stadium in America.
Meanwhile, between the lines, head coach Frank Yallop will look to the same starting XI that took care of business the past two weeks against the Houston Dynamo and DC United. Chris Wondolowski and Ryan Johnson may be off with their respective national teams — and preparing to face each other Sunday in the Gold Cup quarterfinals — but the rest of the Quakes seem to be having no trouble picking up points against some of the lesser competition in MLS.
Is Sporting KC one of those lower teams? Certainly they appear to be so, having collected just 10 points to this point of the season. However, that is mitigated somewhat by the fact that they played a 10-game road trip to open up the season so that they could get all their home games at the spanking brand new LSP. After a scoreless draw with the Chicago Fire in their stadium opener, SKC looks to earn points — and maybe score goals — in front of an expected near-sellout crowd. Meanwhile, unbeaten in six games, the Earthquakes come in to Kansas City looking to extend their excellent form on the road at the expense of the SporKCs.
Without further ado, the starting line-up:
Khari Stephenson Steven Lenhart
Ramiro Corrales Anthony Ampaipitakwong
Sam Cronin Brad Ring
Bobby Convey Bobby Burling Jason Hernandez Steven Beitashour
Jon Busch
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