San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC: Preview and How to Watch

The San Jose Earthquakes face their toughest competition of the young season on Saturday when LAFC makes a visit to Avaya Stadium. The Quakes are still trying to find their chemistry under new manager Matias Almeyda’s tough and demanding system while LAFC looks ready to challenge for an MLS Cup. If the Quakes can find a way to end the day with a point, it would do a lot to energize a restless fanbase that is getting more anxious by the week. LAFC comes into the game shorthanded as midfielders Lee Nguyen, and Andre Horta have been ruled out for tomorrows match, the Quakes have a full roster after the eight players they had out on international duty are now back in the Bay Area. In what condition they came back we will see on Saturday.

Wondo Watch

The signing of Matias Almeyda to be the new manager has been the significant storyline since the announcement last October, but there is another story that is being followed just as closely, Chris Wondolowski’s chase of Landon Donovan for most goals all-time in MLS. Wondo sits at 144 goals just one behind Donovan and tying that record against a team from Los Angeles would be just as good as winning for some Quakes fans. The only time LAFC has allowed multiple goals in a match was on March 17 when they visited NYCFC, so the Quakes have a chance to capitalize at home.

Shaky Defense

The Quakes defense has given up nine goals so far this season, second only to the Portland Timbers who have been playing all their games on the road due to construction at Providence Park. LAFC is tied with the Seattle Sounders for the goal-scoring lead of this young season with both teams sitting at 10 goals. Those two stats in themselves are no reason to, but you add into the fact that Guram Kashia, Nick Lima, Harold Cummings, and Marcos Lopez were all out on international duty and this could be a long afternoon for Quakes fans. For those unaware, that is the whole starting backline Almeyda has used most matches. Or maybe the callups have the opposite effect, and those players come back reinvigorated after having represented their home country on the international level.

How to Watch

Kickoff: 12:45 PM

Avaya Stadium

Weather: Low 70’s Mostly Sunny

Local: Your Neighborhood Bar

National: Univision

Streaming: Twitter

How to Listen

Ingles: KNBR 1050 with Ted Ramey on play-by-play and Joe Cannon as the color analyst

Spanish: 1370 KZSF with Carlos Cesar Rivera and Quakes legend Ramiro Corrales