SAN JOSE, Calif. -
The Quakes are set to battle Orlando City SC for the first time in club history in their second-ever match at Levi's Stadium. With both club's coming off convincing wins in Week 11, we take at the three key's to San Jose keeping their recent unbeaten streak alive.
Keep Kaka Contained:
That’s easier said than done, of course. Great players always find a way to have an impact, no matter what opponents do to stop them. In an eye-opening 4-0 win over the visiting LA Galaxy, Orlando City displayed its recipe for success: Open up the middle for Kaka so he can do his thing, and send players racing up the flanks. It’s not a new tactic by any stretch, but Kaka can make it devastating. But it’s not easy to replicate blowout wins on the road, and the Quakes’ team speed and swarming defense can negate an opponent’s plans. The thinking being: You can’t set things up properly when you’re feeling harried in your defensive third. The Quakes have been effective keeping opponents on their heels by picking off passes and countering quickly. Plus, the veteran back four of Jordan Stewart, Victor Bernardez, Clarence Goodson and Marvell Wynne, backed by active goalkeeper David Bingham, has been proving to be increasingly difficult to break down. After struggling to score early in the season, Orlando City has seven goals in its past three matches, led by rookie Cyle Larin’s three goals.
Ride the MPG Train:
Quakes playmaker
Matias Perez Garcia
had a signature game with two assists in a 2-0 win over the Columbus Crew. He looks happy, healthy and comfortable in new coach Dominic Kinnear’s system. His spectacular first step and attacking instincts are the perfect complement to the team’s speed out wide. Shea Salinas would attest to that after working a textbook give-and-go with MPG in tight quarters in the box on Salinas’ first goal of the season last week. Expect MPG to bask in the spotlight in his Levi’s Stadium debut.
Take Advantage of Momentum:
The Earthquakes, led by their leading man and captain
Chris Wondolowski
, are in good form and tend to relish big stages. The Quakes enter their second match at Levi’s Stadium with a 1-0-0 record after defeating Western Conference foe Seattle Sounders FC in the
stadium’s inaugural game
. Having already earned three points in the venue, expect San Jose to play with confidence in the club’s second foray at Levi’s Stadium in front of a national television audience. Add last year’s success in Santa Clara to the Quakes unbeaten streak in the past four matches (2-0-2) and you have a recipe for success on Sunday. Wondo is tied for third in the league in scoring after his fantastic finish against the Crew, giving him 99 goals for his career. The San Jose backline is coming off of an impressive clean sheet against Columbus and Shea Salinas tallied his first goal at the brand-new Avaya Stadium. Spirits are high with the club and that should work in the club’s favor come Sunday.
