San Jose Earthquakes travel to Children’s Mercy Park for an MLS Wild Card clash with Sporting Kansas City.
San Jose Earthquakes remained in and around the playoffs for most of the regular season as first-year head coach Luchi Gonzalez guided the team to their first playoff slot since the 2020 campaign. Cristian Espinoza’s goal against Austin FC on Decision Day in a 1-1 draw was enough to propel the side to a shot at postseason glory.
For Kansas City, it’s been a tough season from the jump as the Western Conference team were ravaged with injuries and failed to win any of their first ten contests, as the first win came in early May against Seattle Sounders. But now with Alan Pulido fit and firing, SKC hope to make some noise in the playoffs.
Sporting Kansas City vs San Jose Earthquakes H2H record
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SKC have a trio of players that are expected to return to action early next month, and they’d be a boost for the side should they progress to the next round.
A hamstring injury sees Kayden Pierre sidelined, while Kortne Fold is recovering from an achilles tendon injury and Tim Leibold misses out with a groin problem.
Sporting Kansas City predicted lineup vs San Jose Earthquakes (4-3-3): Melia; Davis, Rosero, Fontas, Ndenbe; Walter; Radoja, Thommy; Russell, Pulido, Salloi.
Gonzalez has his full squad available for selection outside of Nathan, who misses out with a cruciate ligament injury and is expected to return in early November.
San Jose Earthquakes predicted lineup vs Sporting Kansas City (4-2-3-1): Daniel; Akapo, Rodrigues, Mensah, Trauco; Yueill, Gruezo; Espinoza, Hoppe, Cowell; Ebobisse.
Both sides have plenty of firepower up front that can create chances at will, so this just might be the more entertaining Wild Card matchup when compared to that of the Eastern Conference.
As we’ve seen before in MLS, home field advantage cannot be underestimated. There will be at least a couple of goals from each side, but SKC should have enough at home to get it over the line.
Prediction: Sporting Kansas City 3-2 San Jose Earthquakes
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