Fighting for Playoff Position
Despite Saturday’s loss in the nation’s capital, the Quakes still sit above the playoff line in the highly competitive Western Conference. San Jose, who sits in the sixth and final playoff position in the west, is tied with the Houston Dynamo with 39 points on the season. With a win on Wednesday, the Quakes could jump above Real Salt Lake into the fifth spot.
Milestone Man
Chris Wondolowski’s historic career could reach new heights Wednesday night. If the San Jose goal scorer tallies against Chicago, he will tie D.C. United legend Jaime Moreno for the third most goals in Major League Soccer history (133).
Limiting Nikolic
The Quakes backline is faced with the tough task of limiting Major League Soccer’s third highest goal scorer and Chicago Fire designated player Nemanja Nikolic. Nikolic, who has 18 goals on the season, is enjoying a breakout year for the Fire since transferring from Legia Warsaw in December 2016. The Hungarian international last tallied in Chicago’s 3-0 win against D.C. United on Sept. 16.
Chicago’s Star Studded Midfield
The Chicago Fire bolstered their lineup in a big way this offseason, adding Bastian Schweinsteiger, Dax McCarty and Juninho to their midfield. All three veterans have experienced some sort of success during their 2017 campaign, so look for them to be a factor if inserted into Chicago’s lineup.
Defending Avaya Castle
Only one Western Conference team boasts fewer home losses than San Jose in 2017 and that’s Western Conference foe Sporting KC (0). The Quakes will hope the home cooking continues heading into Wednesday’s match against Chicago.
