Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Preview: Los Angeles FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 26 May 2022, 18:12
Leading the way in the MLS Western Conference, Los Angeles FC welcome San Jose Earthquakes to Banc of California Stadium on Saturday.

Just days after both sides were eliminated from the US Open Cup, the Californian counterparts convene in LA, where the hosts hope to stretch their two-point lead at the top of the standings.

Match preview

Averaging both two points and two goals per game so far this season, Los Angeles have taken up residency at the front of the Western Conference grid, but their flying start has since slowed, and they have now lost three of their last four matches.

Their most recent setback came in midweek, and was particularly bitter, as they exited the US Open Cup at the last-16 stage to local rivals LA Galaxy.

Missing out on a place in the quarter-finals, Steve Cherundolo's team were once again second-best in 'El Trafico' as Galaxy fired in three second-half goals on the way to a 3-1 victory.

Though LAFC's Ryan Hollingshead struck in the 85th minute, it was all too late to initiate a comeback, and they have now endured six defeats and two draws away to their neighbours in eight attempts all told.

With a similarly dismal recent record against Saturday's opponents - losing four of their last five meetings with San Jose - Cherundolo's men will be looking to conquer both precedent and recent form if they are to get straight back to winning ways.

After overcoming a lightning delay ahead of their most recent league match - last week's 2-0 win at Columbus - LA will now have to handle the Earthquakes to keep hold of top spot.

Before their trip to the City of Angels, the Quakes became the one of two MLS sides to be turfed out of the US Open Cup by lower-league opposition on Wednesday: slipping to a 2-0 defeat against USL Championship side Sacramento Republic.

Though they enjoyed the vast majority of the possession - also racking up 17 shots and 12 corners - San Jose could not break through their determined hosts, thus ending their dreams of silverware in the States' top cup competition.

Only days beforehand, the side placed 11th in the Western Conference had been held at home by Sporting Kansas City, who left PayPal Park with just their second away point of the season after a 1-1 draw last Sunday.

Jackson Yueill's strike early in the second half extended San Jose's unbeaten run under interim manager Alex Covelo to four matches, having followed up wins over Colorado Rapids and Portland Timbers with successive draws.

The Earthquakes, however, still have the worst defensive record in the division, and have conceded goals at a rate of more than two per game to date - a major factor in former coach Matias Almeyda's recent sacking. That may now leave them particularly vulnerable against the league's most potent side.

Los Angeles FC Major League Soccer form:

Los Angeles FC form (all competitions):

San Jose Earthquakes Major League Soccer form:

San Jose Earthquakes form (all competitions):

Team News

The main concern for Los Angeles coach Steve Cherundolo ahead of Saturday's game relates to Mexican striker Carlos Vela, who limped off early on in the cup defeat to LA Galaxy due to a quad injury and could now miss out.

Highly rated left-back Diego Palacios suffered a knock to the head in midweek and observed the concussion protocol, but the Ecuador international should be fit to feature in the hosts' back four.

In Vela's potential absence, Cristian Arango is expected to lead the line in a front three for the South California side.

Meanwhile, San Jose's Jackson Yueill has scored in both of his last two Western Conference games and should start in support of lone striker Jeremy Ebobisse, who leads the visitors' attack.

The latter will come back into the first XI after appearing as a substitute in Wednesday's cup defeat, so young Benji Kikanovic is set to drop out of the lineup.

Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:

Crepeau; Fall, Murillo, Ibeagha, Palacios; Ginella, Sanchez, Cifuentes; Opoku, Arango, Musovski

San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:

Marcinkowski; Marie, Agren, Calvo, Beason; Remedi, Espinoza, Yueill, Monteiro, Cowell; Ebobisse

We say: Los Angeles FC 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes

A recent blip in form will worry Los Angeles, and yet another derby defeat will certainly sting, but the benefit of home advantage and their opponents' leaky defence should help them secure maximum points on Saturday.

Able to produce goals from a variety of sources, the hosts should score more than once and reaffirm their grip on first place in the standings.

Previews by email

Top News

26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly considering making a move for Hull City forward Jaden Philogene during this summer's transfer window. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Euro 2024 will enter the last knockings of the group stage on Wednesday night, and while 11 of the last 16 places have already been accounted for, the battle for the remaining slots is still red hot. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Erik ten Hag is reportedly on the verge of signing a new contract at Manchester United, with the finer details of the fresh agreement expected to be finalised 'this week'. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Luton Town and Burnley - two clubs relegated from the Premier League - will square off on the opening day of the 2024-25 Championship season. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The transfer window is open! Clubs around the UK and Europe are getting business done as they look to give themselves the best possible chance at success in the new season. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Slovakia vs. Romania (Wednesday, 5.00pm) In the most hotly-contested group at Euro 2024, third-placed Slovakia are set to face leaders Romania on Wednesday in Group E at Deutsche Bank Park in each side's final group stage game, and the winner could qualify for the knockout rounds in first place. 26 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fulham have reportedly stood firm on their asking price for Bayern Munich target Joao Palhinha. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has encouraged head coach Arne Slot to sign a new "number six" in the summer transfer window. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking to snap their four-match winless run, Sao Paulo play host to Criciuma at the Estadio do Morumbi in round 12 of the Brasileiro Serie A on Wednesday. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly offered out-of-favour winger Jadon Sancho to La Liga giants Barcelona this summer. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly open to selling midfielder Ilkay Gundogan this summer amid concerns over their financial situation. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly made contact with Barcelona to inform them that they expect to sign Marc Guiu. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Denmark were evidently riding high on confidence after their impressive performance against England, as they pressed Serbia aggressively to good effect from the front and dictated the tempo of the game in possess with patient build-up play, picking their moments to get players into the opposing box. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England have finished top of Group C at Euro 2024 despite playing out a drab 0-0 draw with Slovenia at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne on Tuesday night. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final round of Euro 2024 group matches is in full swing as teams battle it out to reach the knockout rounds in Germany. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Austria have qualified for the last 16 of Euro 2024 as Group D winners after beating the Netherlands 3-2 in a thriller at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Tuesday evening. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk France missed out on top spot in Group D after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Poland despite Kylian Mbappe scoring his first goal at a European Championship. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England reached the Euro 2024 knockout rounds on Monday after Spain claimed a 1-0 victory in their final group game against Albania. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Fullkrug has reportedly been identified as a summer transfer target by fellow Bundesliga club Stuttgart. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest have announced that they have completed the signing of highly-rated Eric da Silva Moreira. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The USA can potentially qualify for the knockout stage of the Copa America on Thursday when they face Panama in matchday two action at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea will reportedly face competition from a Champions League club if they pursue a deal for Hoffenheim forward Maximilian Beier. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have been handed a major boost in their efforts to sign Guido Rodriguez. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fluminense and Vitoria, both struggling at the foot of the 2024 Brasileiro Serie A table, go head-to-head on Thursday at the Maracana. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have confirmed that Nacho will be leaving the club at the end of this month. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain's Manuel Ugarte. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly been handed a major boost in their efforts to sign Nottingham Forest defender Murillo. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly interested in the signing of Roma attacker Paulo Dybala this summer. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea reportedly intend to send Alfie Gilchrist out on loan for the 2024-25 campaign. 25 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Everton have reportedly reached an agreement with Marseille to sign striker Iliman Ndiaye.