- Monsters of the Midweek:
The Earthquakes are 11-11-6 this season, but they're unbeaten on Wednesday night. In their only midweek game, the Quakes walloped Sporting Kansas City 5-0 at Sporting Park on Aug. 19. So there is a precedent for hump-day heroics on heavy legs. On that blissful night in K.C., Chris Wondolowski and Cordell Cato each scored twice and Panama international Anibal Godoy scored his first goal with the club. The Quakes followed the rout with a shutout win three days later on the East Coast -- 2-0 over D.C. United. This week, they'll follow the Montreal game with a Saturday game at struggling New York F.C. Can they replicate the midweek-to-East Coast double during a tough stretch of three games in eight days? It will be tough, but doable.
- TICKETS: Quakes vs. Montreal Impact
2. Mexican Heritage celebration: Since soccer brings the world together, the Quakes are excited to be hosting Mexican Heritage Night for their match against the Impact. Fans will be entertained by live mariachi music outside the main gates by Mariachi Juvenil Alma de Mexico, and the 7UP Epicenter will feature local Latin stars SuenaTron. Longtime Quakes fans will remember former Mexican international midfielder Missael Espinoza, who was named Quakes Team MVP after the inaugural 1996 MLS season, before he returned to Mexico to complete his career. Known for his skill, leadership and passionate play, Espinoza also competed for Monterrey, Guadalajara, León, Necaxa and Querétaro. This year, Club America defeated the Quakes 2-1 in the International Champions Cup North America Presented by Guinness, with Mexican side getting goals from Andres Andrade and Francisco Rivera.
- Thinking positive:
The Earthquakes are 4-0-1 with their new Panamanian barometer, Anibal Godoy, in the midfield. He has worked well with Fatai Alashe, Marc Pelosi and the rest, holding possession and making smart runs, and getting physical when needed. Godoy made a memorable Quakes' debut in a 1-0 win over Colorado on Aug. 14, after arriving in the Bay Area 10 hours before kickoff. The rookie Alashe had the two-way mojo going in the 1-1 draw with Seattle last week, playing well alongside Clarence Goodson in his debut at center back, filling in for injured Victor Bernardez. Alashe, on Fatai Alashe bobblehead night, scored a beautiful goal in the 70th minute off a free kick from substitute Matias Perez Garcia, on MPG's very first touch of the game.
