Higuain vs. Perez Garcia:
The matchup between the two classy Argentine designated players, the Quakes’ Matias Perez Garcia and Crew’s Federico Higuain, in the middle of the park could factor heavily in the game’s outcome. Both are known for their ability to read the game and dictate flow in relentless fashion. Higuain has two goals and an assist this season. In 2014, he had 11 goals and seven assists and shared the Budweiser Golden Boot. In a 3-2 win over Seattle Sounders FC on May 9, Higuain carved up the Sounders defense in the box off a short corner from Ethan Finley and scored. Last season, Higuain also matched a Chris Wondolowski goal in a 1-1 draw with the Quakes at Buck Shaw Stadium. Perez Garcia, who signed as the Quakes’ third-ever DP on July 31, 2014, is the Quakes’ engine in the middle and a set piece specialist. He had a brilliant game-winning assist in a 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo on May 5 at BBVA Compass Stadium. MPG is near the league lead in corner kicks with 42 taken. A magnet for opposing defenders, he’s also near the top of MLS in fouls received. MPG became the ninth player in club history to score in his debut, a 2-2 draw with the LA Galaxy at StubHub Center on Aug. 8.
Keep Kei From Picking Lock:
Ex-Earthquake Kei Kamara is off to an electrifying start. The Crew star shares the MLS lead in scoring with Clint Dempsey with seven goals. Kamara also entered the week with the league’s most shots, 41, and the second most shots on goal, 17. He must be monitored at all times by the Quakes, who will counter with a lock-down defense, featuring the back four of Clarence Goodson and Victor Bernardez in the middle and Jordan Stewart and Marvell Wynne out wide. The Quakes back line has held up beautifully in a makeshift state early the season, getting strong play from versatile fill-in Cordell Cato, who will now fill the role of sparkplug off the bench with the return of Stewart. The Quakes have allowed just five goals in their past six games, including an own goal, working two shutouts over the stretch.
Saturday Night Lights:
The Quakes have a 2-1 mark at the team’s beautiful Avaya Stadium. Expect the players to ride the energy of another packed house to a passionate 90-minute effort on Saturday in the club’s second-ever night game at the 18,000-seat venue. Sanna Nyassi scored the winner in the Quakes’ first night game at Avaya -- a 1-0 triumph over the Vancouver Whitecaps on April 11. The Quakes played that game without Innocent, who was serving a one-game suspension. The Quakes are unbeaten in their past seven meetings with the Crew (1-0-6). If they take an early lead, look out. San Jose is 104-12-31 since 2001 when scoring the first goal. The club is 2-0-1 in 2015 after going 5-1-4 in 2014.
