The earthquakes of San Jose will hope that the end of a “crazy” May will bring them some respite while they end the month in St. Louis City on Saturday.
The earthquakes have been hit by injuries in recent weeks, with the last -seeing goalkeeper Daniel replaced by Earl Edwards Jr.
But Edwards stepped up to play a key role when San Jose Winless Rivals de la Galaxy defeated in midweek, because a 1-0 win ensured that they have still not lost since April.
The earthquakes now have the opportunity to end the month unbeaten, and Vooruit Ousseni Bouda heralded the power of the team while they continue to deliver.
“On every day we can place a different line-up there and feel strong that we can get a result,” he said. “I think we have a very strong team.
“There are many people who can perform at any time, and that is one of our strengths for the long term and for the duration of the season. That will come in handy and help us.
“As you can see, this month has been crazy, and many people have had to perform at different times, and people have done that. That is one of the biggest strong points in this team.”
Anyway, coach Bruce Arena is looking forward to the day that he can address his strongest XI.
“We get better, but we still miss a few players,” said Arena.
“We were probably without three or four starters [against the Galaxy]And if we get our entire team together, I think we can have a good second half of the season.
“So I give our team a lot of praise. The full selection has contributed.”
With or without all their most important men, there is certainly a contrast in votes between that of San Jose and that of St. Louis, who have not won in MLS since March.
Coach Olof Mellberg was fired this week when St. Louis tried to improve our overall performance and returns to a winning culture, “said sports director Lutz Pfannenstiel.
Players to watch
St. Louis City – Cedric Teuchert
Goals are consistently difficult to find for St. Louis in the past seasons, a trend that extends back for this miserable running run.
Teuchert came in last season and closed the season when the leading goalscorer of the club, even though he only played 10 games because he delivered five times.
And although he has scored only three goals this period, he is again the top scarksman of St Louis. In the absence of viable alternatives, they need him to deliver in attack.
San Jose Earthquakes – Earl Edwards Jr.
It will probably be the task to prevent Teuchert from turning around the ST Louis season is stand-in San Jose goalkeeper Edwards.
The injury situation of the Quakes has offered Edwards opportunities that seemed unlikely when he was signed in the low season, but he seizes them with both hands.
His performance against the Galaxy helped San Jose to keep a third consecutive clean sheet away in the regular season, the first time they have achieved that performance in club history.
Match forecast: San Jose Win
The shape of these two sides can hardly contrast anymore, which suggests that San Jose should be heavy favorites.
Their eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions has been their longest since 2021, when the quakes went without the defeat between May and July.
In the meantime, the Winless Streak of St. Louis is on a club record 11 games.
At least they have a strong record against San Jose and win all their four meetings, but even a Sint -Louis optimist could struggle to claim that Run will probably continue -although the Opta win is in favor of the hosts.
Opta wins probability
St. Louis City – 49.6%
Drawing – 25.4%
San Jose Earthquakes – 25.0%