New York City FC will look to continue their strong run of form in MLS when they take on the San Jose Earthquakes at Yankee Stadium on Saturday morning.
The hosts have surged up to third place in the Eastern Conference standings, now on 26 points after 15 games, while the visitors are second-bottom in the West on 11 points over the same period.
Match preview
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It has been a remarkable turnaround since New York City lost their first three matches of the season, which included a first-ever opening-day home defeat to the Portland Timbers after leading the match until the 84th minute.
However, since losing to Cincinnati on March 24, the Boys in Blue have been in excellent form, losing just one of their last 10 league games while notching up a fourth win in succession over the weekend when they beat New England Revolution 1-0 on the road.
Notably, that result came after a very difficult run of matches, including facing Toronto and Philadelphia Union on the road, before taking on the New York Red Bulls at home, all in the space of seven days.
While fans were calling for Nick Cushing to get the axe earlier in the campaign, the NYCFC boss has now guided his side to seven wins in their last eight, which has not only seen them move into the top three in the East but also places them fourth in the Supporters' Shield standings.
Perhaps the major contributor to New York's recent run of form has been the improvements they have made defensively. The side now ranks fifth in MLS for goals conceded (16), with Matt Freese proving to be indispensable, currently ranked in the top five for saves and save percentage so far this term.
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Meanwhile, after barely making the final series playoff last season, San Jose look likely to struggle to repeat that feat this term as the enter gameweek 17 level on points with basement club Sporting KC and already six points below the final playoff spot.
The Quakes managed to end a dismal three-match losing streak, which included a 4-3 US Open Cup loss to Sacramento in extra time, by playing out a 1-1 draw at home against Austin last weekend.
Jeremy Ebobisse opened the scoring for San Jose on the day with his fourth goal of the campaign, and with that, he is now tied for third with Landon Donovan on the Quakes' all-time scoring list with 32 goals to date.
However, while the side have been decent in attack this season, they have struggled mightily at the other end of the pitch and are currently the worst defence in the entire MLS, having already shipped 34 goals, three more than any other side in the division.
In seven matches on the road this season, the Quakes have earned just four points, including one win and a draw, and they have only conceded fewer than two goals in one away match this term.
Team News
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New York will be able to welcome back James Sands for this match following his one-match suspension, and he should slot straight back into midfield alongside Keaton Parks, who scored the decisive goal in his side's narrow victory over the Revs.
The hosts have just two players missing due to injury, including Rio Hope-Gund (leg) and Maxi Moralez, who is expected to be sidelined for at least another month due to a cruciate ligament tear.
San Jose, on the other hand, will have to make do without Carlos Akapo and Vitor Costa, both of whom crossed the yellow card threshold in last weekend's draw against Austin.
Goalkeepers JT Marcinkowski and Daniel are still sidelined due to injury, which should mean William Yarbrough will continue in goal. Benjamin Kikanovic and Jamar Ricketts are both out until next month with hip injuries.
New York City FC possible starting lineup:
Freese; Gray, Martins, Risa, O'Toole; Perea, Parks; Wolf, Rodriguez, Ojeda; Bakrar
San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Akapo, Rodrigues, Wilson, Costa; Yueill, Gruezo; Espinoza, Lopez, Pellegrino; Ebobisse
We say: New York City FC 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes
New York City have been in excellent form recently and head into this match having lost just one of their last six league games and riding a four-match winning streak. On the flip side, San Jose are winless in their last three and have been shipping goals in bulk on the road this season.
Based on the current form of both these sides, we feel the hosts will secure all three points in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
