All-time record
Chivas USA have the slight edge with a 3-2-4 record against San Jose.
What’s at Stake?
The Goats are dangerously close to dropping into last place in the Western Conference and will be in desperate need of three points this weekend to move up in the standings. For San Jose, Saturday’s match gives the team a crack at getting its first win at the Home Depot Center since 2005 and a good shot of moving up into the group at the top of the conference.
Last Meeting
On Oct. 17 at the HDC, Chivas USA stormed out of the gate with a goal from Maykel Galindo in the seventh minute, but were forced back on their heels after Brandon McDonald and Ryan Johnson took the Quakes ahead with goals in the 21st and 58th minutes. Only a 66th-minute score from Justin Braun salvaged the draw for the Red-and-White.
Remember When…
… Chivas USA striker Justin Braun scored an important goal against the Earthquakes? You don’t? It’s happened the last three times these teams met. Braun has been the scourge of San Jose, scoring the come-from-behind game-tying goal against the Quakes last October after having notched the game-winner on both May 2, 2009, and Oct. 11, 2008. San Jose need to get a leash on this guy before he strikes again.
Heroes & Villains
Ike Opara vs. Gerson Mayén and Jorge Flores: Opara, the third overall pick in this year’s MLS SuperDraft, has been on fire for the Quakes, scoring a goal in each of his last two appearances. The tall defender was a teammate of Flores and Mayén on the U.S. U-20 national team last summer, but will be working hard to squelch any midfield creativity from the Chivas USA youngsters on Saturday.
Osael Romero vs. Ramón Sánchez: Saturday evening is Salvadoran Night at the Home Depot Center, with El Salvador national team players Romero and Sánchez coming face-to-face for the first time in MLS. A large, supportive Salvadoran crowd is expected at the HDC, but which of the two players will get the biggest cheers—and which will go home with the points?
Stat that makes you go “Hmm …”
The Earthquakes have netted eight of their 11 all-time goals against Chivas USA in the second half of play, and have yet to score before halftime this year. Needless to say, San Jose are a second-half team. Chivas USA will have to be wary of a late push, especially after a 2009 season that saw them concede 11 total goals in the final 20 minutes of play.
He Said It
“Things didn’t go our way last week against Houston, but the team still has a positive attitude. We’re trying to keep our heads up and just try to take it a game at a time. Hopefully we can come out and start having some better chemistry on the field and get the three points.”—Chivas USA striker Justin Braun on Saturday’s match
