The San Jose Earthquakes (3-6-6; 15 pts.) are preparing for their third consecutive road match when they face Real Salt Lake (7-4-4; 25 pts.) on Saturday, June 18. The match will kick off from Rio Tinto Stadium at 6:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on NBC Sports California, KNBR 1050 (English), and 1370 KZSF (Spanish).
The Earthquakes will look to get three points in Utah after earning their second shutout of the season in a scoreless draw against Nashville SC at GEODIS Park last week. The Earthquakes will look to get their third straight win at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday following wins on May 7, 2021 (2-1) and Oct. 31, 2021 (4-3).
San Jose will also have a number of players back from international duty, including Marcos Lopez, who was with the Peru National Team for their FIFA intercontinental playoff qualifier vs. Australia on Monday.
“Marcos [Lopez] is already here. He was here for part of training today after flying 16 hours yesterday,” said interim head coach Alex Covelo in a press conference on Wednesday. “We are waiting for [Francisco] Calvo, but obviously they’ll be arriving at the end of the week. We have been working with the rest of the guys during this week and they have done an amazing job.”
Saturday’s contest will also see Quakes midfielder Jamiro Monteiro face Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium for the first time in his MLS career. Monteiro joined the Earthquakes at the beginning of the season in a trade with the Philadelphia Union. The 28-year-old has tallied three goals and five assists in 14 appearances (all starts) so far this season.
“I have not played there yet. I think it will be my first game against them,” said Monteiro on Wednesday. “But what I know about them is that they always have a good team, they’re always doing well in the standings. But that will not stop me. Every week is a challenge for me and for the team. We’re going there with the same mindset, win the game, give everything, and work for each other.”
Real Salt Lake currently sit near the top of the standings, occupying third place in the Western Conference. Despite falling 2-1 on the road to Vancouver Whitecaps FC last week, the Utah side has won 12 of their last 15 games at home, including five victories out of six home matches this season.
