Heading into week nine of the 2017 MLS campaign, Quakes midfielder and Albanian international Jahmir Hyka is still getting acclimated to his new surroundings here in the United States after signing with the club in February.
Looking ahead to the final match of a long third-game road trip Saturday night in Minnesota, Hyka, for the first time since his arrival, will see a familiar face on the pitch, Minnesota United FC defender Jerome Thiesson.
Thiesson, who signed with Minnesota in the offseason, was a close teammate of Hyka at FC Luzern from 2011-17 in the Swiss Super League.
"We played together for almost six years,” Hyka explained. “We are very good friends. We also spent a lot of time together off the pitch, so it’s not only about football. I’m excited to see him again and to play against him.”
The best part about the reunion? Thiesson is a right back. Hyka is a left winger.
Expect the two former teammates to be reacquainted during Saturday’s match.
"We talked two days ago,” Hyka said. "We were just saying that a big game is coming Saturday and we’re both excited. It’s also going to be exciting to face off against each other on the same side. We both know the each others strengths so I think it’ll be competitive."
Saturday’s match against Minnesota kicks off at 5 p.m. PT at TCF Bank Stadium on NBC Sports Bay Area Plus.
