Our prediction for this MLS match:
Portland Timbers
Match Time & Date:
21/09/2023
04:30
Prediction: 1-0
San Jose Earthquakes
Portland Timbers play host to San Jose Earthquakes at their Providence Park in a highly-anticipated MLS game. Portland aim to build on back-to-back wins over Los Angeles FC and Austin and their fine form in September is certainly giving fans a reason for optimism ahead of the visit of San Jose. Barring any fresh injury worries, Miles Joseph is unlikely to make changes to the team that defeated Austin at the weekend.
The Earthquakes, on the other hand, have regained a much-needed confidence thanks to a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake, but given their difficulties on the road, we are tempted to put our money on Portland Timbers. As for the away team, all Benjamin Kikanovic, Jack Skahan, and Nathan Cardoso are out of contention through injuries. When the two teams met in the League Cup two months ago Portland Timbers outplayed San Jose Earthquakes 2-0.
Highlighted Player (Dario Zuparic):
Dario Zuparic is a Croatian footballer, who plays for Pescara as a defender. Zuparic played for the likes of Sladograna Zupanja, NK Granicar Zupanja and Cibalia during his youth career. He continued playing for Cibalia at senior level and he made 57 league appearances for the Croatian outfit from 2011 to 2013.
In 2013 he signed a contract with Pescara and made 21 appearances for the team in the 2013/2014 Serie B campaign. Zuparic quickly established himself as a first-team regular at Pescara and it has to be noted that he played 36 games for the Delfini in the 2015/2016 season. The Pescara highly rated defender was born in Croatia, but he started playing for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He has 3 caps for Bosnian and Herzegovina U19 team, but he eventually decided to represent Croatia on the international stage. Zuparic has 5 caps for Croatia U20 and he played three matches for Croatia U21. The 188-cm-tall footballer was born on 3 May, 1992 in Zupanja.
Highlighted Team (San Jose Earthquakes):
San Jose Earthquakes are members of the Western Conference of Major League Soccer. The Quakes have been participating in the league since 1996 and they won their first MLS Cup trophy in 2001. Back then San Jose outplayed star-studded Los Angeles Galaxy in the title game, but it has to be noted that they scored the winner in the extra time.
Two years later the Quakes managed to repeat the success, with the team beating Chicago Fire in the 2003 MLS Cup final. Avaya Stadium is the home ground of San Jose Earthquakes and the capacity of the venue is 18.000. The construction of the stadium cost no less than $100 million and the venue was opened in March, 2015. The club’s home colors are blue and black, whilst the Quakes wear white and red shirts and white shorts when playing on the travels.
Chris Wondolowski is the club’s biggest star and he has been playing for San Jose Earthquakes since 2009. The USA ace has 121 league goals on his account ahead of the start of the 2017 season.
