The San Jose Earthquakes take a break from MLS action this week to face Liga MX powerhouse Pachuca in an international friendly on Saturday, Sept. 3 at Avaya Stadium. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT and constitutes Bonus Game B for Quakes season ticket holders.
Last Saturday, Aug. 27, the Earthquakes suffered a 2-0 road defeat at the hands of Columbus Crew SC. Quakes’ rookie goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell made his MLS debut in the match, replacing David Bingham in the 45th minute. Recently signed forward Henok Goitom also earned his first MLS start after making his Earthquakes debut last week against the Houston Dynamo.
OPPONENT INFORMATION
Pachuca Scouting Report
Pachuca plays in Liga MX, the top professional league in Mexico, where they are currently second on the league table with a 4-2-1 record. Founded by British miners in 1901, Pachuca is one of the oldest football clubs in the Americas. They are the reigning league champions after defeating Monterrey 2-1 in the Clausura 2016 tournament. The championship marked the club’s sixth career title, which ranks seventh all-time in the league. Since 1998, Pachuca has also won four CONCACAF Champions’ Cups along with the 2007 SuperLiga. The club was also the first CONCACAF team to win a CONMEBOL tournament.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
All-Time in Friendlies
San Jose is 10-8-8 all-time in friendlies, including an undefeated 7-0-4 record in their last 11 matches. The Quakes haven’t lost a friendly match since falling 3-1 to the Canadian National Team at Spartan Stadium on June 5, 2004.
Meeting Again
The Earthquakes and Pachuca previously met in 2002 in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. San Jose fell 3-0 on April 17, 2002 at Estadio Hidalgo in Pachuca before rebounding with a 1-0 victory at Spartan Stadium one week later.
South of the Border
The Quakes are 2-8-4 against clubs from Mexico all-time, including a 1-5-3 record in friendlies.
Just the Second
Saturday’s matchup is the Quakes’ second-ever international friendly at Avaya Stadium. The Earthquakes defeated Real Sociedad 2-1 in the stadium’s first friendly on May 18, 2016.
Rookie Debut
Rookie goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell made his MLS debut against Columbus Crew SC, entering as a substitute for David Bingham in the 45th minute.
Goitom Joins Starting XI
Henok Goitom earned his first MLS start against Crew SC after making his debut with the Earthquakes on Friday, Aug. 19 against the Houston Dynamo at Avaya Stadium.
Francis Earns 50th Starting Nod
Shaun Francis made his 50th start with the Quakes on Saturday against Columbus.
Imperiale Returns to Fold
On Saturday, Andres Imperiale earned his first start since the Quakes 1-0 victory against Sporting Kansas City on April 24.
On the Leaderboard
Among the Earthquakes that rank near the top in various statistical categories in MLS are:
David Bingham – 75.5 saves percentage (4th in MLS)
David Bingham – 83 saves (6th in MLS)
David Bingham – 1.10 goals against average (7th in MLS)
David Bingham – 6 shutouts (t-5th in MLS)
Earthquakes Part Ways with General Manager John Doyle
The San Jose Earthquakes announced that they have parted ways with general manager John Doyle effective immediately. Technical director Chris Leitch has been named interim general manager, while head coach Dominic Kinnear and the coaching staff will continue in their roles.
Six Earthquake Players Called to National Teams for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
El Salvador
San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Darwin Ceren will join the El Salvador National Team as they attempt to advance to Round 5 in FIFA World Cup qualifying from Group A by finishing as one of the top two teams.
El Salvador is currently in last place in Group A (2 pts; 0-2-2), behind Mexico (12; 4-0-0), Honduras (4; 1-2-1) and Canada (4; 1-2-1). After hosting group leaders Mexico at Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador on Friday, Sept. 2 (7 p.m. PT), El Salvador closes out group play against Canada at BC Place in Vancouver on Tuesday, Sept. 6 (7 p.m. PT).
Jamaica
San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Simon Dawkins and defender Shaun Francis have been called to the Jamaica National Team for a series of FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
Jamaica is currently in third place in Group B (4; 1-2-1), trailing Costa Rica (10; 3-0-1) and Panama (7; 2-1-1) and ahead of Haiti (1; 0-3-1). Jamaica will take on Panama at Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City, Panama on Friday, Sept. 2 at 6:30 p.m. PT, before hosting Haiti at Independence Park in Kingston, Jamaica on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m. PT.
Panama
Midfielder Alberto Quintero has been called up to the Panama National Team as they look to advance from Group B in FIFA World Cup qualifying.
With seven points and a 2-1-1 record, Panama currently sits in second place in Group B behind Costa Rica (10; 3-0-1) and ahead of Jamaica (4; 1-2-1) and Haiti (0; 0-3-0). Panama will end group play with matches against Jamaica at Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City on Friday, Sept. 2 (6:30 p.m. PT) and Costa Rica at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica in San Jose, Costa Rica on Tuesday, Sept. 6 (6:30 p.m. PT).
Trinidad and Tobago
Earthquakes midfielder Cordell Cato will represent Trinidad and Tobago in FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Trinidad and Tobago currently lead Group C with 10 points and a 3-0-1 record, ahead of the U.S.A. (7; 2-1-1), Guatemala (6; 2-2-0) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (0; 0-4-0). T&T closes out Round 4 with matches against Guatemala at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad on Friday, Sept. 2 at 4 p.m. PT, and against the United States at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 5:15 p.m. PT.
U.S.A.
Quakes forward Chris Wondolowski was among 27 players named to the United States Men’s National Team roster by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann for a pair of decisive World Cup Qualifying matches against St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago. The first contest takes place at Arnos Vale Stadium in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday, Sept. 2 (12:30 p.m. PT, beIN SPORT), followed by the second match against T&T on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida (5 p.m. PT, FS1/UniMas).
Santa Cruz County FC Revolution 03 Reign Victorious in Best Game Ever
Santa Cruz County FC Revolution 03 girls defeated Tracy-Patterson Tigers U-12 girls 4-0 at Avaya Stadium Saturday, Aug. 27 in the ‘Best Game Ever’. Lily Montesinos scored a brace while Daniela Alfaro and Tara Biakanja each notched a goal in the victory. Both teams arrived at Avaya Stadium on Saturday expecting a stadium tour, but were surprised with an MLS experience, including locker room access, a public address announcer and a running video board. Quakes players Bryan Meredith and Marc Pelosi served as guest coaches.
