Less than two weeks after the sun set on the 2016 MLS All-Star Game, several Earthquakes and New York City FC stars will have a reunion of sorts at Avaya Stadium. In front of a sell-out crowd on July 28, San Jose’s David Bingham and Chris Wondolowski banded together with New York’s Andrea Pirlo and David Villa against a common enemy: the legendary English Premier League club Arsenal. For just one night, the players were teammates instead of competitors, donning the same uniform as they represented Major League Soccer’s elite in the 2-1 loss.
On Friday night, the All-Stars will return to being foes on the field battling for the ultimate goal of hoisting the MLS Cup as NYCFC make their first appearance at the Earthquakes new home. Boasting Major League Soccer’s best road record (6-4-1), the challengers will attempt to do what not many before them could accomplish: defeat the home team at Avaya Stadium.
Since opening before the 2015 season, the Earthquakes have established Avaya as their fortress. MLS opponents have come to take in the sights of the state of the art venue, but the Quakes have often sent them home empty handed, holding first-timers to a 3-8-5 record. The success at home has carried into the stadium’s second season, where they are nearly unbeaten so far in 2016.
NYCFC’s superstar-studded cast could arguably present the toughest challenge at Avaya Stadium so far for the Earthquakes. Along with their impressive away performance in 2016, the Eastern Conference leaders flaunt several names including Villa and Pirlo near the top of the stats charts. The two All-Stars are among the best in the league in multiple categories, with Villa currently sitting atop the Golden Boot race and Pirlo tied for fifth with eight assists.
Though New York City FC provides a viable challenger to the Quakes home record, San Jose’s All-Stars will look to have something to say about that Friday. After rediscovering his scoring touch following international duty, Wondolowski is currently riding a two-game scoring streak and looking to add to his team-leading four goals at Avaya Stadium this year. Building on his lights out success so far at home, Bingham is also hoping to send the opponent home with a goose egg for the fifth time this season. As the four proven All-Stars return to their rightful spots on opposite sides of the field, they will look to create fireworks of their own for what’s likely to be another raucous, sell-out crowd.
