Both San Jose Earthquakes and Portland Timbers won their last league matches and will be looking to beat each other and move up the league table.
The San Jose Earthquakes haven't lost a single game in their last 4 matches, and they have only conceded 2 goals in this undefeated streak, so their defense seems to be quite solid, and the front line has been able to score enough goals to help the team get back to 8 points.
As usual, San Jose will play a 4-3-3 formation, and I've been impressed with how well the 3 attacking players up front have been working together in recent weeks. This formation has also brought out the best in center forward Ibogbis, who is very good with the ball at his feet and is able to lead his teammates in the attack.
He's scored two goals in his last three matches, so I'll be interested to see how he fares against his former teammates in this reverse fixture.
With Peruvian stopper Miquel Chayogo being very effective on the left side, and Argentinean flanker Kirsten Espinoza being dangerous on the right, the San Jose Earthquakes are a balanced team with threats from all positions.
Portland Lumberjacks usually play good defense in away games and come back with a point, so I expect them to aim for the same in this game.
They beat FC Dallas 1-0 at home in the last round of the league, but they have only scored two goals in their last five matches, and the player who scored those two goals was Francois Pauli, so he will be the most threatening player of the team in this match.
Since joining the team in March, Fran Paoli has been linking up well with Iwunda and San Diego Morano has been able to become the mainstay of the team's offense, so the Portland Timbers will be waiting for a chance to counterattack in this match.
