The San Jose Earthquakes are coming off a busy week that included a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 match against Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday and the highly anticipated California Clasico against the LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium on Saturday in front of 50,617 fans. San Jose scored late goals to secure 2-1 victories in both contests in what was head coach Chris Leitch’s first week in the role.
With a 7-6-5 record (26 pts.), the Quakes now have the third highest points per game average in the Western Conference and sit just two points out of second place.
The Earthquakes take on expansion side Atlanta United FC at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Tuesday, July 4 at 4 p.m. PT. It marks the first-ever matchup between the two teams. San Jose is off this weekend, but returns to action on Monday, July 10 against the LA Galaxy in the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals at Avaya Stadium. The match is free for all Quakes season ticket holders.
OPPONENT INFORMATION
Earthquakes vs. Atlanta United FC All-Time
MLS Regular Season: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0 (0 GF, 0 GA)
Away: 0-0-0 (0 GF, 0 GA)
All-Time Scoring: San Jose – 0, Atlanta – 0
History of the Quakes – Atlanta United FC Rivalry
This will be the first MLS match between the Earthquakes and Atlanta United FC.
Earthquakes – Atlanta United Connections
Quakes forward Chris Wondolowski, as well as Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan, midfielder Jeff Larentowicz and defenders Michael Parkhurst and Greg Garza, have all featured for the U.S. Men’s National Team ... San Jose midfielder Simon Dawkins and Atlanta defenders Tyrone Mears and Anton Walkes were all born in England. Dawkins and Mears both previously played for Derby County during their careers ... Quakes defender Andres Imperiale, along with Atlanta United defender Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, forwards Hector Villalba and Yamil Asad and head coach Gerardo Martino, were all born in Argentina ... San Jose defender Florian Jungwirth and Atlanta midfielders Kevin Kratz and Julian Gressel were all born in Germany ... Quakes midfielder Cordell Cato and Atlanta forward Kenwyne Jones were both born in Trinidad and Tobago and have both featured for their national team ... Quakes midfielder Tommy Thompson and Atlanta United forward Jacob Peterson both played collegiately at Indiana University. Peterson also played for the Earthquakes during the 2011 season ... San Jose defender Victor Bernardez and Atlanta forward Bryan Rochez were both born in Honduras and have featured for their national team.
EARTHQUAKES IN THE COMMUNITY
Erik's Deli Cafe Fantasy Camp
Who: Four Earthquakes players and coaches TBD
What: Fantasy Camp presented by Erik’s Deli Cafe
When: Saturday, July 8
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
History Starts Here
Tuesday’s match will be the first encounter between the Earthquakes and Atlanta United FC. San Jose currently holds a 9-6-5 record in their first-ever match against teams currently in MLS.
Flying Dutchman
Quakes forward Danny Hoesen continued his fine form on Saturday, netting his fourth assist of the season to set up Shea Salinas’ game-winning goal against the Galaxy. The Dutch forward now has three goals and three assists from seven MLS and U.S. Open Cup games since May 27.
First (and only) Impression
This match will be the only time the Earthquakes face “Tata” Martino’s side during the regular season in 2017.
Undefeated Stretch
The Quakes are on a five-game unbeaten streak in all competitions (4-0-1) heading into their match with Atlanta.
Duty Calls
Midfielder Anibal Godoy will miss Tuesday’s match as he joins up with the Panama National Team to compete in the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Midfielder Darwin Ceren (El Salvador) and forward Marco Ureña (Costa Rica) will also be taking part in the tournament with their respective national teams.
Young Guns
Against the Galaxy on Saturday, rookie midfielder Lindo Mfeka made his Major League Soccer debut, coming on as a stoppage time substitute, while midfielder Jackson Yueill made his first MLS start.
Another Day, Another Record
If Chris Wondolowski starts against Atlanta, it would be his 229th game started in a Quakes jersey. That landmark would surpass club-legend Ramiro Corrales for the all-time Quakes record.
RENO 1868 FC UPDATE
Reno 1868 FC held Didier Drogba and Phoenix Rising FC without a goal in a scoreless draw at Greater Nevada Field on Friday, June 30. Reno hosts LA Galaxy II tonight at 7:30 p.m. and enter the match with a 3-1-1 record in their last five matches.
BURLINGAME DRAGONS FC UPDATE
Burlingame Dragons FC played two games in Southern California over the weekend, drawing the Ventura County Fusion 2-2 on Friday and defeating the SoCal Seahorses 3-1 on Saturday. Burlingame is now undefeated in their last three matches.
NEWS ARTICLES
Earthquakes win a classic in California Clasico against L.A. Galaxy
By Elliott Almond, Mercury News
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/07/01/earthquakes-win-a-classic-in-california-clasico-against-l-a-galaxy/
San Jose Earthquakes 2, LA Galaxy 1 | 2017 MLS Match Recap
By Josie Becker, MLSSoccer.com
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/07/02/san-jose-earthquakes-2-la-galaxy-1-2017-mls-match-recap
MLS Talking Points: New era begins in San Jose
By Ives Galarcep, Goal.com
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2017/06/30/36753132/mls-talking-points-new-era-begins-in-san-jose-fc-dallas-and
San Jose Earthquakes chart new path ahead of California Clasico
By Ann Killion, SF Chronicle
http://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/San-Jose-Earthquakes-chart-new-path-ahead-of-11257485.php
