Kickoff
Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday, Sept. 17. The match marks the Quakes and Rapids’ first matchup since the season opener on March 6, 2016 at Avaya Stadium in which the Quakes won 1-0.
Broadcast Information
The game will be aired live on CSN Plus and 1370 KZSF (Spanish).
New Goalkeeper
The Rapids will likely start a new but familiar face in goal on Saturday against the Earthquakes. United States National Team regular Tim Howard joined the club midseason and has since made 10 appearances, boasting a 3-2-5 record with five shutouts. Howard first appeared in MLS from 1998-2003, playing in 83 games for the MetroStars before spending several seasons in the English Premier League with Manchester United and Everton. Howard’s USMNT teammate Chris Wondolowski has never faced him in an MLS match.
Another Feat for Wondo?
After scoring against Seattle last week, Chris Wondolowski has 10 career goals against four different clubs, with Colorado being one of them. If he finds the net in Saturday’s matchup, the 11 goals against the Rapids would mark a new career high for the Quakes captain against any MLS club.
Home Away from Home
The Earthquakes are nearly unbeaten (4-1-5) when playing at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, with their only loss coming on Aug. 7, 2010. The last three matches in Commerce City have resulted in draws, with the Quakes holding the home team to just two goals over that span. Seven of Chris Wondolowski’s 10 goals against the Rapids have also come at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, including one in the Earthquakes only appearance there last season.
Coming Down to the Wire
Saturday’s match in Commerce City marks the Earthquakes’ first of two remaining clashes with the Colorado Rapids and the beginning of a vital final seven-game span for the club. Of San Jose’s seven matches left, six are against teams in the Western Conference, where they currently sit in eighth place with 33 points. Securing three points on the road against Colorado could provide just the spark the Quakes need to make a late playoff run.
