The San Jose Earthquakes will take on New York City FC on Friday, May 31. Kickoff from Yankee Stadium in New York, NY will take place at 4:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast globally on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, as well as on local radio via AM 810 The Spread (English) and AM 1370 La Kaliente (Spanish).
In their home game against Austin FC last Saturday night, San Jose found the back of the net early when Jeremy Ebobisse finished Cristian Espinoza’s cross in the 10th minute. The visitors then drew level via Brendan Hines-Ike's header off a set piece right before intermission. Despite both clubs attempting to find the go-ahead goal in the second half with a late blast from Earthquakes midfielder Hernán López hitting the crossbar, the match would end in a draw, snapping a two-game losing streak for San Jose in MLS play.
With San Jose yet to record a win against NYCFC, the matchup record currently sits at 0-5-1. NYCFC is on a four-game winning streak, with triumphs in seven of their last eight games. Capturing three points on Friday night would equal their longest MLS regular-season streak of five victories in 2019. Santiago Rodriguez currently leads the team in goals, finding the back of the net five times already this season. Right back Tayvon Gray is also a threat for Nick Cushing’s men, having recorded the game-winning assist in each of his last two MLS regular-season matches.
The Earthquakes will be led by Cristian Espinoza to catalyze the attack. The Argentine forward is fourth among MLS assist leaders in 2024. Espinoza recorded his eighth assist of the season in San Jose’s draw against Austin FC last Saturday at home. Meanwhile, forward Jeremy Ebobisse leads the Quakes in scoring after notching his fourth goal from an Espinoza assist.
Quakes midfielder Alfredo Morales will return to New York for the first time since leaving NYCFC. where he helped the club win their first Audi MLS Cup in 2021. Morales spent three seasons with the Pigeons before joining the Black and Blue this season.
Despite the last game against Verde ending in a 1-1 draw, head coach Luchi Gonzalez was encouraged by his back line’s performance.
“We allowed six shots, and two on goal. That’s really good for a defensive performance in our league, especially a very good team like Austin who’s doing well,” said Gonzalez. “[Austin FC is] winning games and attacking well. So yes, this is a good standard and reference for us defensively.”
Meanwhile, goalkeeper William Yarbrough highlighted the intangible part of keeping the defense in form.
“You saw guys throwing themselves in front of shots,” said Yarbrough. “When [Austin FC] were circulating the ball and getting into those wide spots how quick we were to shift and close the space down. A lot of times when they got into our final third it felt like they didn’t have much time to think about what their next option was going to be. The intensity that the guys showed tonight—that’s what I stick with.”
If San Jose can ride the momentum of last Saturday’s game, the Quakes look to make club history Friday night with a victory in Yankee Stadium.
