Two teams in contention for top spot in the MLS Western Conference meet on Saturday, as San Jose Earthquakes host St Louis City.
Ahead of the teams' clash at PayPal Park, Quakes sit just two points behind their visitors, who occupy second place in the standings.
Match preview
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Though their midweek fixture at the Shell Energy Stadium was delayed due to thunderstorms, San Jose Earthquakes may wish it had been called off entirely after suffering a 4-1 loss to Houston Dynamo, who then drew alongside them on 27 points in the Western Conference.
Abruptly ending a five-match unbeaten run, the concession of two early goals left Quakes staring at a deficit when the thunder struck, and despite Carlos Akapo reducing their arrears just before half time, leaking two more in the final 15 minutes consigned them to defeat.
Luchi Gonzalez and co therefore return from Texas aiming to get straight back on track with a victory, as they ultimately seek to claim a playoff place come the end of the season.
Still just five points adrift of conference leaders LAFC, San Jose have already beaten the Los Angeles side, Philadelphia and Seattle this year, and they remain undefeated on home soil ahead of Saturday's game.
They may have picked up just six of their points on the road this term, but posting six wins and three draws from their first nine matches at PayPal Park - and for the loss of just five goals - sees a proud record on the line when St Louis come to town this weekend.
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Much like their hosts, St Louis have made the most of home advantage so far this season, so it came as something of a shock when they succumbed to Real Salt Lake at CityPark in midweek.
City's strong start to life in Major League Soccer hit a rare bump in the road towards playoff qualification on Wednesday, when RSL strode to a 3-1 win in Missouri.
The MLS newcomers therefore lost their place at the Western Conference summit to LAFC, and coach Bradley Carnell has now overseen three losses and a draw from the last four games.
Such a stumble was surely inevitable for a newly-established expansion club, but having kicked off their debut campaign with five straight wins, there is some concern that such momentum has now been lost.
Including Nicholas Gioacchini's strike in a losing cause last time out, St Louis are the third-top scorers in the league, though, and as the United States international has now netted in his last four matches, they pose a real threat to the San Jose defence they breached freely during a 3-0 win in the reverse fixture.
Team News
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While Michael Baldisimo and Nathan remain absent through injury for San Jose, Cade Cowell, Carlos Gruezo and Miguel Trauco are all back from international duty and could feature this weekend.
The latter would likely replace Paul Marie at left-back in the 4-3-3 formation favoured by Quakes coach Luchi Gonzalez.
Despite a rare failure to score in midweek, Benji Kikanovic, Cristian Espinoza and Jeremy Ebobisse are expected to retain their places up front, though Cowell could come into the equation.
Meanwhile, St Louis travel to the West Coast without Designated Players Eduard Lowen and Joao Klauss, both of whom will miss the next few weeks due to quad injuries.
Lowen had contributed five goals and three assists in 2023 before being sidelined, but in his absence, Bradley Carnell will again turn to Jared Stroud and top scorer Nicholas Gioacchini for inspiration in the final third.
At the back, Kyle Hiebert returns after serving a suspension on Wednesday, so John Nelson may make way.
San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Daniel; Akapo, Rodrigues, Mensah, Trauco; Yueill, Judson, Monteiro; Espinoza, Ebobisse, Kikanovic
St Louis City possible starting lineup:
Burki; Nerwinski, Bartlett, Parker, Hiebert; Perez, Vassilev; Stroud, Ostrak, Pompeu; Gioacchini
We say: San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 St Louis City
Exacting revenge for a three-goal defeat in March, San Jose can continue their unbeaten streak at home by beating an ailing St Louis side. The visitors are suffering a worrying dip in form, and due to a worsening defensive record their slip down the standings could continue.
How to watch
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Jonathan O'Shea
