This week and next, the San Jose Earthquakes will be diligently preparing for their upcoming MLS match against New York City FC on Saturday, April 1. However, head coach Dominic Kinnear and Co. will be a bit thinner on the training field with several Quakes players out on international duty.
Here is a recap of last week’s action and a run-down of all things Quakes international over the next few days:
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22
Curacao 1 vs. El Salvador 1
Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curacao
Quakes midfielder
Darwin Ceren
and El Salvador finished 1-1 with Curacao in a friendly on Wednesday. Ceren started and played 90 minutes in the draw.
FRIDAY, MARCH 24
Italy 2 vs. Albania 0
Renzo Barbera – Palermo, Italy
Albania fell to Italy 2-0 in a World Cup qualification match on Friday. Albania and Quakes midfielder
Jahmir Hyka
did not feature in the loss.
Trinidad and Tobago 1 vs. Panama 0
Hasely Crawford Stadium – Port of Spain, Trinidad
Cordell Cato
and Trinidad and Tobago used their home field advantage to dispatch
Anibal Godoy
and the Panamanians 1-0. Cato and Godoy both started, playing 65 and 90 minutes, respectively.
United States 6 vs. Honduras 0
Avaya Stadium – San Jose, Calif.
The Americans scored early and often against Honduras en route to a blowout 6-0 victory at Avaya Stadium in San Jose. Quakes goalkeeper
David Bingham
and forward
Chris Wondolowski
did not feature in the victory.
Mexico 2 vs. Costa Rica 0
Estadio Azteca – Mexico City, Mexico
Earthquakes forward
Marco Ureña
entered as a substitute for Costa Rica in the 80th minute, but
Los Ticos
fell 2-0 to Mexico on Friday.
Fiji 0 vs. New Zealand 2
Chuchill Park – Lautoko, Fiji
New Zealand hit the road to defeat Fiji 2-0, with Quakes defender
Kip Colvey
starting and playing 90 minutes.
MONDAY, MARCH 27
New Zealand vs. Fiji
11:35 p.m. PT
Westpac Stadium – Wellington, New Zealand
New Zealand needs just a draw to win their group and advance to the OFC Final. A win in the Final would pit them against the fifth-place team from CONMEBOL (currently Ecuador) with a spot in the FIFA World Cup on the line.
TUESDAY, MARCH 28
Honduras vs. Costa Rica
2 p.m. PT
Francisco Morazan Stadium – San Pedro Sula, Honduras
This is a battle of two teams that fell in their previous matches and will be looking to rebound. Costa Rica are currently second in the Hex (2-1-0; +4) while Honduras brings up the rear (1-2-0; -5) thanks in large part to a blowout against USA last Friday.
Trinidad and Tobago vs. Mexico
4 p.m. PT
Hasely Crawford Stadium – Port of Spain, Trinidad
A win from T&T last week was massive for their hope of advancing, but will face their toughest test yet in Mexico. They would do well to earn a point on Tuesday against the group’s top team.
Panama vs. USA
7:05 p.m. PT
Estadio Rommel Fernandez – Panama City, Panama
The Americans are riding high after a 6-0 beat-down of Honduras at Avaya Stadium last week, but Panama is still a point ahead in the standings. A result for either side could ultimately prove crucial at qualifying’s end.
Click here to learn more about World Cup Qualification
