SAN JOSE, Calif. - It’s a return home for the San Jose Earthquakes tonight as they are set to host Western Conference foe Colorado Rapids at Avaya Stadium. With a potential debut set for new signing Anibal Godoy and a fortified Colorado backline coming to town, we take a look at three match storylines ahead of tonight’s 8pm kickoff.
Godoy, mate: The Earthquakes added some midfield might with the signing of Panamanian Anibal Godoy last week and he could potentially make his MLS debut tonight against Colorado. He is expected to stabilize things and make the attacking trifecta of Matias Perez Garcia, Quincy Amarikwa and Chris Wondolowski more dangerous. Godoy will also give rookie central midfielder Fatai Alashe an experienced running mate. Suddenly, the pieces could fit together. The Quakes have been looking for the right combination. Last week, in a 2-1 road loss to Houston, they replaced the injured Perez Garcia (MPG) with Marc Pelosi (MP), who started and played 61 minutes before being replaced by J.J. Koval. The team's sharpest attacker, Amarikwa scored his fourth goal in four games since joining the club, tying it 1-1 in the 70th minute.
Opportunity to tie for: The Quakes and Rapids ought to meet on Father's Day because they always settle for gift wrapped ties. The teams tied three times last season, and drew 1-1 on May 8 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The Quakes have not lost at home to the Rapids since 2010, and are 5-0-6 against them since Colorado's prevailed in 2011. The teams' May 8 meeting marked a reunion as ex-Rapids Marvell Wynne and Sanna Nyassi both were in the Quakes' starting 11, and Sam Cronin made his first start against the Quakes since being dealt in the offseason. Wondolowski scored his 98th career goal off a Shea Salinas corner, but Colorado equalized on a stoppage time strike by James Riley.
Colorado 'D'-etermined: The Rapids fortified an already strong defense with the signing of veterans Sean St. Ledger, 30, and Maynor Figueroa, 32, a Honduran international. St. Ledger and Figueroa have some common ground with some Quakes. Victor Bernardez 33, who anchors the Quakes defense, and Figueroa were teammates with Honduras in the 2010 World Cup. Primarily a left-side defender, Figueroa played in 2014-15 with Hull City. He says he consulted with Marvin Chavez, who played for the Quakes and Rapids, before making the move to MLS. St. Ledger has made more than 30 appearances with the Irish national team. He came to Colorado from Orlando City, where he was waived. He played 190 matches for England clubs, including Leicester City, former club of Quakes defender Jordan Stewart.
