Struggling San Jose Earthquakes will host Minnesota United at PayPal Park in a Major League Soccer clash on Sunday.
While the hosts are bottom of the Western Conference standings with no hope of reaching the final series, the visitors are just one point off the playoff spots.
Match preview
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San Jose Earthquakes resumed their league campaign with a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake at America First Field on Saturday, thanks to first-half goals from Cristian Espinoza and Amahl Pellegrino.
It was a relief for Ian Russell's men, who were dumped out of the Leagues Cup by Los Angeles FC in the last 16, ending their hopes of lifting the trophy.
Currently bottom of the Western Conference and 17 points away from the playoff spots, the Goonies are all but out of the running for another playoff appearance.
The goal for San Jose will be to end the season on a strong note, laying down a marker for the coming season and the possibility of ending a trophy drought that has been on for 12 years.
However, their next opponent is one that they have not gotten the better of in the last three meetings between them, drawing two and losing one – a 2-0 defeat at Allianz Field last month.
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After a heart-breaking Leagues Cup campaign where they suffered a group-stage exit, Minnesota United returned to MLS action at the Allianz Field last Saturday.
However, the Loons fell to a 3-2 defeat against Seattle Sounders with Kelvin Yeboah's brace not enough to save them from an 11th league defeat of the season.
Eric Ramsay's men have now failed to win 10 of their last 11 MLS games, losing eight times and picking up two draws while conceding 24 goals and failing to concede in only two matches since early June.
However, Minnesota's only win during this poor run came against their next opponent San Jose Earthquakes on July 21 – a performance and result they will have to replicate to keep alive their hopes of making the final playoff series.
While the Loons toppled San Jose on home soil in their most recent meeting, they will now have to end a three-match winless streak at the home of their opponents, a run that includes two draws and a defeat.
Team News
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San Jose will continue to be without JT Marcinkowski, who has been sidelined since the early stages of the previous season due to a cruciate ligament injury.
Carlos Akapo, Bruno Wilson and Jamar Ricketts will also miss out for the hosts due to hip injuries, while Jeremy Ebobisse has an abdominal problem that will keep him out.
Winger Espinoza has directly contributed 14 goals in 26 MLS appearances this year, and he remains the player to watch for the home side.
Meanwhile, Minnesota United's only absentee is 24-year-old Canadian forward Tani Oluwaseyi, who is sidelined due to a hamstring injury.
Thirty-one-year-old midfielder Robin Lod has assisted others nine times and scored six times in 24 MLS appearances this year, and he will look to have an impact on the game.
San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Costa, Rodrigues, Munie, Kikanovic; Gruezo, Yueill; Pellegrino, Lopez, Espinoza; Ebobisse
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
Smir; Jeong, Harvey, Duggan, Tapias, Padelford; Bran, Dotson, Rosales; Lod, Hlongwane
We say: San Jose Earthquakes 0-1 Minnesota United
San Jose's recent league victory has provided a much-needed boost in confidence, which could prove advantageous going forward, and if they can maintain this level of performance, they may prove too formidable for a Minnesota side that has been struggling to find their rhythm over the past few months.
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