Our prediction for this MLS match:
San Jose Earthquakes
Match Time & Date:
18/07/2024
04:30
Prediction: 1-2
Houston Dynamo
San Jose Earthquakes will be aiming to recover from a 2-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City when they face Houston Dynamo at PayPal Park. San Jose are not enjoying a season to remember, with the team sitting in the ultimate position in Western Conference, but Thursday’s clash could be the turning point for the home side. The likes of Niko Tsakiris, Carlos Akapo, Bruno Wilson, Jamar Ricketts, Daniel, and JT Marcinkowski are sidelined with injuries for the home side.
The Orange Crush, on the other hand, are determined to book their spot in playoffs. Unlike previous seasons, Houston Dynamo have been producing fine performances on the road this term and we predict that they will take advantage of San Jose’s shaky defence. In their last encounter in the MLS Houston Dynamo defeated San Jose Earthquakes 2-1. Midfielder Griffin Dorsey is banned for the visiting side.
Highlighted Player (Hector Herrera):
Mexico international Hector Herrera is a 26-year-old midfielder playing for Portugal giants FC Porto. Herrera began his career with Pachuca in 2010 and spent three years at the club before being sold to Porto. During his first season with the Dragons Herrera struggled for playing time, but he went on to cement his place in the starting eleven, becoming one of the most valuable players for the club.
Herrera has since them racked up over 110 performances for the Portugal side, scoring over 20 goals in the process. Full Mexico international since 2012, Hector Herrera represented his country at the 2014 World Cup.
During the summer of 2016 Herrera was heavily linked with a move away from Porto and was reported to have made a personal agreement with Italian side Napoli, but the €25 million asking price proved to be a stumbling block that ended up ruining the deal.
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.
