Sherrod Ready to Roll:
Mark Sherrod, a 6-foot-3 target forward, knows how to make a grand entrance and how to find the net. His return to the 18-man roster will give the Quakes much-needed depth up top. He started his career with a bang in Houston last season, scoring twice in his very first start against Real Salt Lake in April. One week later, he had his first career assist on Giles Barnes’ game-winning goal against the LA Galaxy. But Sherrod suffered a torn left anterior-cruciate ligament against DC United on May 21, 2014, and has been working his way back into form ever since. Obviously, Quakes coach Dominic Kinnear liked what he saw in Sherrod in Houston. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought him to San Jose in a deal with Orlando City SC for a natural second round pick in 2015. One thing is certain: Sherrod, of Knoxville, Tenn., scores goals wherever he goes. A former Memphis captain, he finished his college career with 42 goals to rank third all time at the school. He has looked sharp in Quakes training recently.
Marvell Knows BMO:
Speedy right back Marvell Wynne, who has been a huge offseason pickup for the Quakes, made 76 starts with Toronto FC from 2007-09, including scoring two goals in 2008. But he was dealt in March 2010 to Colorado in exchange for Nick LaBrocca and a draft pick. Then Wynne made a grand return to BMO Field, playing 90 minutes as the Rapids beat FC Dallas 2-1 to win the 2010 MLS Cup championship. Wynne has been a two-way revelation with the Quakes, providing leadership on a veteran back line and generating scoring chances working combination with his former Rapids teammate Sanna Nyassi, another burner, and others.
Stopping the Go-To Guys:
The Earthquakes have been doing well against the league’s most dynamic attackers. Last week, rookie Fatai Alashe and Co. kept Orlando City star Kaka fairly quiet; he scored on a PK in a 1-1 draw. The Quakes also turned back Columbus’ dangerous Kei Kamara and Federico Higuian in a 2-0 win. This time, the Quakes will look to stymie TFC's Sebastian Giovinco. No small task. He scored his fifth goal of the season in TFC’s first home win in league -- a 1-0 victory over the Portland Timbers. Giovinco has five goals and four assists among TFC’s 14 goals overall, and has a goal or an assist in eight of their 10 games. TFC is coming off a confidence-building 1-0 loss to English Premier League side Manchester City in a midweek friendly, when TFC rested its regulars. Giovinco only played 30 minutes, and Michael Bradley, Benoit Cheyrou, ex-Quake Justin Morrow and Ashtone Morgan all played a half. With Alashe away in France with the U-23 national team, the Quakes may look to JJ Koval, Khari Stephenson or Jean-Baptiste Pierrazi to play holding midfielder, the vital connecting link between the back four and the forwards.
