SAN JOSE, Calif. -
The Quakes open their 2015 International Champions Cup campaign against Mexican powerhouse Club América tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Avaya Stadium. After dropping their last MLS match against the Houston Dynamo 2-0 on July 10, the Quakes are poised to bounce back against the 12-time Liga MX title winners. With Club América looking to avenge their first ICC match against the LA Galaxy on July 11, here are three match storylines to keep an eye heading into the first meeting between the two clubs.
- Fan Guide: Quakes vs. Club América
Depth matters:
The Earthquakes must march in lockstep during a busy stretch with four games from July 14 to July 26, beginning against Club América in International Champions Cup play. Every man on the roster will likely need to contribute as coach Dominic Kinnear plays mix-and-match while attempting to keep the starters fresh for MLS games. Newcomer Quincy Amarikwa, Mark Sherrod and Adam Jahn should get valuable time up top during the busy stretch. The Quakes also have games at the LA Galaxy on Friday; Manchester United on July 21 at Avaya Stadium, and at Vancouver Whitecaps on July 26. With Club América’s zesty passing style, it will be important for the Quakes to start well and take the Mexican powerhouse out of its comfort zone by putting América on its back foot. Set pieces and speed on the flanks figure to be key elements for the home side. Since 2004, the Earthquakes have only allowed more than one goal against an international opponent once, in a 2-2 tie with Swansea City in July 2012. Matias Perez Garcia has six assists in his last eight MLS matches, and boosted his game-winning assist total to four, tied for the most in MLS. The Quakes are 4-0 this year when MPG has an assist or scores.
No soft touch:
Club América, which has a passionate following in California, is led by Dario Benedetto and Oribe Peralta, who each had six goals en route to a runner-up finish in Liga MX, the top league in Mexico. But Peralta is playing with Mexico in the Gold Cup. Club América’s Carlos Darwin Quintero scored the team’s lone goal in a 2-1 loss to the LA Galaxy on Saturday in International Champions Cup play, when he nutmegged the keeper. Club América is one of the most storied clubs in Liga MX history, having won a record 12 league titles, and has lifted the trophy as recently as 2014. They have also won 11 CONCACAF Champions Cups and five Copa Mexico Cups. Club América is based in Mexico City.
Small world:
Kinnear will see some familiar faces in the Club América contingent. Las Aguilas coach Ignacio Ambriz and team chairman Ricardo Pelaez were his teammates when he played for Necaxa in the Mexican Primera Division in 1995. After growing up playing for powerhouse Fremont Celtic youth teams and at Kennedy High in Fremont, Kinnear had an extensive professional career, including stints with St. Johnstone-Scotland, San Francisco Bay Blackhawks, San Jose Hawks, Ft. Lauderdale Strikers, Necaxa, Seattle Sounders, Colorado Rapids, San Jose Clash, and Colorado Rapids. He also made 54 appearances with the U.S. National team. He was one of the few Americans to play for a top club in Mexico. His former Blackhawks teammates Marcelo Balboa (Leon, 1994-95) and Eric Wynalda (Leon, 1999) also were once Mexico-based.
