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Where: Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, Calif.
When: Saturday, September 22nd, 12:30 pm PT
How to Watch: Univision, Twitter.com
Los Angeles Football Club will be hosting a day game on Saturday. Their opponents are the bottom of the table San Jose Earthquakes.
LAFC will surely be looking to capitalize on the schedule. Not only are the Earthquakes in last place, they had a game on Wednesday, while LAFC did not play midweek.
Ironically for the Quakes, the game they played on Wednesday vs. Atlanta United was similar to their match earlier this year against LAFC.
In both games they had a lead at home against a better team, but then lost the game in heartbreaking fashion. Also, both games ended up 4-3.
The main rival for both of these teams will continue to be the LA Galaxy, but with the interstate factor, and if they play more games like the first one this year, LAFC and the Earthquakes could develop a rivalry of their own.
The Earthquakes are bad, and this will be interim manager Steve Ralston’s second game in charge, but as they showed last game, and last time against LAFC, they can score at times. Danny Hoesen is a very talented if streaky finisher, Vako is a good dribbler and good on the ball, and Quakes captain Chris Wondolowski has a nose for goal, as his 142 career MLS goals clearly show.
The Quakes obvious weak spot is its defense. Midseason signing Guram Kashia has helped solidify the defense some, but they are still vulnerable.
Andrew Tarbell gives up too many soft goals in net, and was actually benched against Atlanta for young homegrown JT Marcinkowski, and Shea Salinas is an older winger playing left back, and it shows.
Last time they played, Carlos Vela missed the game because of the World Cup. Look for Vela to tear into the Quakes defense, and create numerous chances for his teammates and himself.
Prediction: LAFC 3, San Jose Earthquakes 1. LAFC dispatches a tired Quakes team to keep pace in the West.
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