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San Jose Earthquakes
Major League Soccer
Jul 18, 2024 at 3.30am UK
Avaya Stadium
Houston Dynamo

Earthquakes
0 - 1
Houston


(90+6')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Steres (87')
Bassi (15'), Herrera (90+5')

Preview: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Major League Soccer clash between San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

After collecting just one point from their last two matches, Houston Dynamo will attempt to return to winning ways when they travel to PayPal Park for Wednesday's MLS clash with San Jose Earthquakes.

Meanwhile, the Earthquakes are in desperate need of three points after losing seven of their previous eight matches.


Match preview

San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Cristian Espinoza© Reuters

Having mustered 14 points from 23 matches, San Jose currently languish at the foot of the Western Conference with 16 points separating them from ninth place and a spot in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

The Quakes showed signs of encouragement when they beat the Chicago Fire in their most recent home game to end a nine-game winless run in MLS.

However, San Jose failed to build upon that result in Saturday's home clash against Sporting Kansas City, with a late Khiry Shelton own goal proving to be a mere consolation in a 2-1 defeat.

After conceding 58 goals, San Jose currently have the worst defensive record in MLS, highlighting one of the key factors behind their struggles this season.

While a vulnerable backline will be a cause for concern, the hosts may be able to draw some inspiration from the fact that they recorded a narrow 2-1 victory in their most recent home game against Houston in April 2023.

Houston Dynamo's Adalberto Carrasquilla pictured on April 14, 2024© Reuters

In contrast to their hosts, Houston have proven to be a tough team to beat in recent times, having won three, drawn four and lost one of their last eight matches.

However, the Dynamo will be frustrated with the fact that they have followed back-to-back wins with one point from two games.

Houston suffered a 3-2 loss to Real Salt Lake in their most recent away match, before they played out a 1-1 draw in Saturday's home clash with Minnesota United.

Head coach Ben Olsen would at least have been relieved to see Sebastian Ferreira net an 82nd-minute equaliser at the weekend to extend Houston's unbeaten home run to six MLS matches.

The Dynamo will head on their travels to PayPal Park, where they will have the chance to complete an MLS double over San Jose after coming from behind to claim a 2-1 victory in March's reverse fixture.

San Jose Earthquakes Major League Soccer form:

Houston Dynamo Major League Soccer form:


Team News

Houston Dynamo FC head coach Ben Olsen looks on on March 24, 2024© Reuters

The hosts are expected to be without the services of Carlos Akapo, JT Marcinkowski, Jamar Ricketts, Bruno Wilson and Daniel.

After playing over 30 minutes at the weekend, full-back Paul Marie could be brought into the side to make his 12th start of the MLS season.

Jeremy Ebobisse will continue to spearhead the San Jose attack, with the striker looking to add to the four goals that he has scored this season.

As for Houston, Nelson Quinones remains sidelined with a knee injury, while Griffin Dorsey will serve a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Dorsey is likely to be replaced by Franco Escobar, who is available for selection after serving a one-match ban at the weekend.

Ferreira will continue to lead the line for the visitors, having scored five goals in 10 MLS appearances this season.


San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Marie, Munie, Rodrigues, Costa; Yueill, Gruezo; Espinoza, Lopez, Kikanovic; Ebobisse

Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Clark; Escobar, Sviatchenko, Micael, Steres; Herrera, Artur; Carrasquilla, Bassi, Aliyu; Ferreira


SM words green background

We say: San Jose Earthquakes 1-2 Houston Dynamo

Houston may have found wins hard to come by in recent away games, but we still think that they will prove too strong for a San Jose side who will be low on confidence after losing seven of their last eight matches.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Game History

How you voted: Earthquakes vs Houston

San Jose Earthquakes
32.4%
Draw
10.8%
Houston Dynamo
56.8%
37
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
4Orlando City34157125950952
5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
10DC United341010145270-1840
11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3499163854-1636
14New England RevolutionNew England3494213774-3731
15Chicago Fire3479184062-2230

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy34197869501964
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
12St Louis City34813135063-1337
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721


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