Our prediction for this MLS match:
Exploria Stadium will host Wednesday’s MLS clash between Orlando City and San Jose Earthquakes. The Lions quickly bounced back from a 2-1 loss to New York Red Bulls, with the team beating Toronto on the road. Orlando City aim to give fans yet another reason for celebration, and they are seen as hot favourites to win the midweek game. Both Pato and Ruan are likely to miss the game with injuries for the home team.
San Jose, on the other hand, do not seem to be at their sharpest at the start of the season, with the team already suffering five defeats in the process. Considering that the Earthquakes have been struggling at the back of late, home win should be considered. Marcos Lopez is on international duty with Peru, while teenager Jacob Akanyirige is out of contention through injury.
Highlighted Player (Nani):
Nani is a product of Sporting CP’s famous youth academy. The pacey winger played 58 games for the capital club in Primeira Liga, scoring nine goals and in 2007 he joined Premier League side Manchester United. He signed a five-year deal with the Old Trafford outfit for a fee of €25.5 million.
He joined his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo at Man Utd and it has to be noted that Nani he spent eight seasons at the club. In 2014 he returned to Sporting (loan) and at the end of the 2014/2015 Primeira Liga campaign he moved to Turkish side Fenerbahce.
In 2016 he signed a three-year deal with Valencia for an undisclosed fee. Speaking of his international career, Nani did remarkably well to win the 2016 European Championship trophy with Portugal and it has to be noted that he started against France in the title game. The Portuguese winger won the 2007/2008 Champions League trophy with Manchester United.
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.