Preview | LAFC at San Jose Earthquakes 11/4/20

The 2020 MLS Season has been up and down for LAFC as it has been for most teams amidst the many challenges the year has brought, but after taking a point in five of their last six matches, the Club has appeared to find its most stable footing at just the right time. The Black & Gold continued the surge last match, defeating the Houston Dynamo 2-1 last Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium.

With the victory came two additional spoils, LAFC clinched a berth in the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and Bob Bradley moved into third place on the all-time MLS coaching list with 270 wins. Up next, another surging California rival in the San Jose Earthquakes who find themselves in playoff position for the first time since 2017.

These two sides have an extensive history, which LAFC had dominated to the tune of 5-0-0 that featured eye-opening, sights and sounds including the Black & Gold traveling 1000 supporters strong to Earthquakes Stadium, but the series took a turn in their last meeting. A then-struggling San Jose took its first regular season win against LAFC, a 2-1 victory at Banc of California Stadium on September 27, a match the Club will look to avenge Sunday night.

Leading up to that September 27th match against LAFC, San Jose was going through a major struggle, failing to earn three points in the nine games prior. The Earthquakes were dead-last in the Supporter’s Shield standings, but after the win against LAFC, they rediscovered themselves, rattling off two more straight victories, only losing two of their next nine matches. The Earthquakes that LAFC looks to face up against are now sit seventh in the Western Conference with a record of 7-8-6 (27 pts).

For the third-straight year, the Black & Gold find themselves in the playoffs, and after returning most of their depth with two more games left in the regular season, look to build on their recent success. The Club finished out the month 4-1-1 and currently sit fifth in the Western Conference with a record of 9-7-4 (31 pts).  

SAN JOSE IN-DEPTH

Though San Jose are in a vastly different position than the last time they faced LAFC, from a strategic perspective, not much has changed. You will still see a high pressure, frenetic man-marking style, but the Earthquakes have found a way to make it work of late. They’ve been finishing chances at a high rate, creating maddening turnovers for the opposition, and fighting to keep themselves in playoff position, and will likely bring the same energy into Sunday’s match.

DETAILS. DETAILS. DETAILS

Over the last couple of matches, we’ve discussed at length how the right pieces for LAFC are falling together at the right time. Most regular starters are back from injury or international duty, save for midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye. The Club has clinched the playoffs. However, with the play of last match, LAFC Head Coach Bob Bradley made it abundantly clear that there is a lot more work to be done. “I want the passing to be sharper. When we have advantages, I want to finish chances. When we lose balls, I want reactions to be faster,” said Bradley. “We've got two regular season games left, and we've got to be harder on each other. We've got to raise the bar a little bit because that kind of game, that sloppiness, that carelessness, end much the year when games really matter, that won't hold up.” LAFC has two more matches to work out the kinks before the playoffs and look for them to elevate their play moving forward.

LAFC WILL WIN IF…

Like Bradley said, they are able to ratchet up their sharpness with passing, intensity and focus. Also, the Club has done well in the past against San Jose when their midfield has been able to get forward, beating men one-on-one. If LAFC’s midfield can create separation from their marks to create dangerous transitions, they will find success.

SAN JOSE CAN WIN IF…

They keep up their hot finishing. Veteran Chris Wondolowski at 37-years-old just earned recent MLS Player of the Week honors after a brace against Real Salt Lake. Forward Andy Rios has been on a tear of late. If the Earthquakes can turn pressure defense into potent offense, they can find success.  

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT…

• After two matches of Carlos Vela being assigned increasing minutes, it will be likely that he sees even more this match. The Club always has an extra bit of danger with each minute more he’s on the field, look for this element being a difference maker.
• Although most of LAFC’s depth chart has returned, there still remains a hole at right back. For the last two matches, left back Mohamed El-Munir has filled the position, but it remains to be seen if he will continue to occupy the spot. Will it be El-Munir? Latif Blessing? Mark Segbers? Erik Dueñas? We’ll see on Wednesday.