The San Jose Earthquakes (2-5-4; 10 pts.) will host the Portland Timbers (3-3-6; 15 pts.) at PayPal Park on Wednesday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. PT. The match will be broadcast live on NBC Sports California, KNBR 1050 (English), and 1370 KZSF (Spanish).
The Quakes are 4-1-1 in six matches in all competitions under interim head coach Alex Covelo, including a perfect 3-0-0 record at home. San Jose is currently in the midst a six-match unbeaten streak at home (3-0-3), including five matches as part of MLS play (2-0-3). Forward Jeremy Ebobisse, formerly of the Portland Timbers, is tied for second in MLS with seven goals, while midfielders Cristian Espinoza and Jan Gregus are tied for second in MLS with six assists apiece.
The Earthquakes had two road matches last week: a Wednesday night U.S. Open Cup victory over Seattle Sounders FC, and a 3-3 draw on Saturday afternoon vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Portland is currently in ninth place in the Western Conference. The Timbers have six draws, most in MLS, including three in their last five matches (1-1-3). Portland is coming off a 7-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City in which Sebastian Blanco and Nathan Fogaça both scored twice.
The Timbers will be without Mexican defender Josecarlos Van Rankin, who picked up two yellow cards in Saturday’s victory.
Wednesday’s match marks the first meeting between the two clubs this year. Portland have fared better in the all-time series, holding a 15-5-9 record vs. the Earthquakes.
