Sporting KC v San Jose Earthquakes: Preview, Predictions & How to Watch
Sporting KC vs. San Jose Earthquakes
When: Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 7:30pm CT (kick-off 7:38am)
Where: Children’s Mercy Park
To watch/stream: 38 the Spot | ESPN+ (outside the market) | SportingKC.com & SKC App (on the market) | Sporting One app enabled Roku, Apple TV and Fire TV
Sporting Kansas City are back in action after a strong showing against the Portland Timbers last Sunday. They have now scored 11 goals in three games (and they have only 30 in the season, so 19 in their first 24 games) and are the first team in Major League Soccer history to score three goals in the first in three straight games scored at halftime. Can four of them do it?
They welcome to town another Wooden Spoon contender at the San Jose Earthquakes, who currently sits two positions and a point ahead of Sporting in the standings, but SJ has a game in hand (as does Houston Dynamo in 13th place) . The real leaders of Wooden Spoon are DC United, four points down but with a game in hand and swinging pretty big in the secondary transfer window to try and pull themselves out of the league’s basement.
It’s probably worth noting that Sporting KC is technically still alive for the playoffs. The math is a little rough, but basically you have to win (with a little help) to stand a chance. It’s almost certainly over, but I guess a glimmer of hope is better than no hope.
The current form of San Jose
- 30 July v Real Salt Lake – 2-2 draw
- 3 August vs. Inter Miami CF – Loss 1-0
- 6th August @ Austin FC – 3-3 draw
- 13 Aug @ FC Dallas – 1-4 loss
- August 20 v LAFC – 2-1 win
Who are the tremors? They beat LAFC. They pulled Austin FC onto the streets. But they stay as in the wooden spoon race like any other.
What’s new for the Quakes since the last meeting?
For most information on the earthquakes, you should return to our previous preview to cover their off-season. Below are the movements since this story was written on May 20th. The quakes were a little busy with three additions and three subtractions.
IN: They have tried to strengthen the defense with two signings, adding Carlos Akapo from a free-kick from Cadiz (Spain), but he is yet to play despite coming from Spain’s top flight. Rodrigues from Gremio (Brazil), who is also not yet in action, has also been loaned out. Their latest move was the signing of local midfielder Cruz Medina, who is a promising 15-year-old.
OUT: Veteran MLS defender Francisco Calvo has joined Konyaspor (Turkey) and midfielder Chofis has ended on loan and returned to his club Pachuca (Mexico). Most recently, defender Marcos Lopez moved to Feyenoord (Netherlands).
Injuries/Availability*
Sporty KC
OUT – Alan Pulido (knee surgery), Gadi Kinda (SEI – Knee Surgery), Kortne Ford (Suspension), Tim Melia (Thigh)
QUESTIONABLE – Ozzie Cisneros (paralyze)
*This is updated based on the official injury report.
San Jose
OUT – Nathan (pile of yellow cards)
QUESTIONABLE – Gilbert Fuentes (personal)
Discipline watch for Sporting KC
Next yellow card blocked: Kortne Ford, Roger Espinoza
statistics
Sporty KC
Goals: Johnny Russell (7), Daniel Salloi, Willy Agada (5), Remi Walter (3), Roger Espinoza, Erik Thommy, Andreu Fontas (2), Marinos Tzionis, Felipe Hernandez, Graham Zusi (1)
assists: Felipe Hernandez, Cam Duke, Daniel Salloi, Roger Espinoza (3), Ben Sweat (2), Uri Rosell, Remi Walter, Khiry Shelton, Kayden Pierre, Willy Agada, Graham Zusi (1)
earthquake
Goals: Jeremey Ebobisse (14), Cristian Espinoza (6), Benji Kikanovic (5), Jackson Yueill (4), Jamiro Monteiro (3), Francisco Calvo, Cade Cowell (2), six with one (1)
assists: Espinoza (11), Monteiro (7), Jan Gregus (6), Cowell (4), Kikanovic (3), Ebobisse, Tommy Thompson (2), three with one (1)
Start XI predictions
This will get its own story. Look for it closer to game day.
predictions
Sporting appear to be a better team than the Earthquakes despite being a point behind in the standings. They’ve historically had the upper hand with a 31-27-10 all-time lead in the series, and they’ve won two of their last three (and should have beat Austin). The quakes upset LAFC last weekend, but you’ll have to go back about six weeks to find another win.
Add to that the fact that San Jose is going 1-8-4 this year and Kansas City’s chances look better.
But the tremors are wild cards. You never know which team will show up, and they’ve definitely been known for chaotic games in the past. They will be without long-serving head coach Matias Almeida and have signed Luchi Gonzalez, ex-FC Dallas, but he won’t quite make it just yet. I’ll get my first win in a very long time and I’ll probably finish Sporting’s season. Let’s go ahead and jinx the goals scored in the process.
4-2 Sporting KC win
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