San Jose Earthquakes vs Vancouver Whitecaps preview

The San Jose Earthquakes started the MLS is Back Tournament with a scoreless draw against the defending MLS Cup champions Seattle Sounders FC on Friday and now hope to get their first win of the season against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Vancouver is currently 1-1-0, losing 3-1 at home to Sporting Kansas City before earning a 1-0 win on the road against the LA Galaxy. The Whitecaps are coming off a 2019 season in which they finished as the second-worst team in the MLS with an 8-16-10 record.

Something to look out for is how match fit each team is during the game. San Jose practically played a 100-minute match with injury-time added on, and Vancouver has yet to play in the MLS is Back Tournament. Will, the Quakes, be able to hold up again in the Florida heat on four days rest, or will the Canadian squad show rust that will ultimately prove to be their downfall? 

Mextranjeros to watch include defender Oswaldo Alanís and forward Carlos Fierro. Alanís started against Seattle but was subbed off in the 63rd minute because of cramps, and Fierro came on as a substitution in the 75th minute but made no significant impact. 

San Jose needs all three points against Vancouver to keep pace with the Chicago Fire, who yesterday defeated the Seattle Sounders 2-1. The Quakes can’t afford to drop any points already if they want to advance out of Group B. 

One thing is for sure for the Earthquakes, Matías Almeyda will be pacing up and down his sideline, trying to get his team fit and ready for a round of 16 push.