Game Thread: Is Scott Sealy ready to lead the San Jose Earthquakes charge on Rio Tinto Stadium?

With the news coming out yesterday and today that both Steven Lenhart and Simon Dawkins are unavailable for tonight’s game at Real Salt Lake, the big question for coach Frank Yallop is who occupies the forward roles for the Earthquakes. With new acquisition Alan Gordon also ruled out do to fitness concerns, that leaves the Quakes with only Scott Sealy or Ellis McLoughlin to pair up top with reigning MLS Golden Boot winner Chris Wondolowski.

Both possibilities have played sparingly this season, with veteran Sealy scoreless in three starts and eight overall appearances and rookie McLoughlin tallying once in six appearances off the bench. Given that Wondolowski benefits most from having an attacking partner that works with the ball, expect the more experienced Sealy to get the nod against Real Salt Lake.

Sealy has played in the target role a couple times already this season but without much success. He has been hampered by a series of injuries since returning to the Earthquakes at the beginning of last season, and is thought superfluous by many supporters of the club due to his inconsistent play. Coach Yallop trusts the veteran forward, and pointed out recently that Sealy has had some success against the Utah club. In his MLS career, Sealy has four goals against Real Salt Lake playing for the Quakes, and the Kansas City Wizards.

The San Jose Earthquakes face Real Salt Lake at 7:00 p.m. PDT Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium.