San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake | 2020 MLS Match Preview

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 21
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake
Earthquakes Stadium – San Jose
October 28 – 10:30 PM ET

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; on DAZN in Canada

LOCAL TV: KMYU, NBC Sports California

With two points separating the teams on either side of the playoff line in the Western Conference, the San Jose Earthquakes host Real Salt Lake in a match with massive postseason implications at Earthquakes Stadium Sunday night. 

The Quakes (6W-8L-6D) are just above the line and are coming off a 2-1 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps, who are now level on points with San Jose in seventh place. Real Salt Lake (5W-7L-7D) moved a point closer to that line with a frustrating 0-0 draw against FC Dallas. 

San Jose Earthquakes

After taking the lead through Carlos Fierro, the Quakes conceded twice after halftime with Ali Adnan and Tosaint Ricketts scoring six minutes apart to lead the Whitecaps to a come-from-behind win Saturday night at Providence Park.

"Our way of being from beginning to end is going to be the same, the same way we recovered when we were losing and when we were winning," Matias Almeyda said after the match. "We are trying to finish this season the best way we can and there are three matches left. We can soon be on vacation, or we can keep fighting for more. As long as we have our chance, we will fight until the last minute.”

• Updated team roster
• Injury Report:
  • OUT: Danny Hoesen (F) - core muscles injury
  • QUESTIONABLE: Chris Wondolowski (F) - thigh injury
• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty:  None

Real Salt Lake

RSL played FC Dallas to a 0-0 draw at Rio Tinto Stadium Saturday night, but it wasn't for a lack of trying. The Claret-and-Cobalt attempted 24 shots, including 18 in a dominant opening 45 minutes, and twice hit the woodwork, but the breakthrough goal never materialized. 

"The reality is we did everything we needed to win the game, we just couldn’t put away the goals. That's how it goes," Freddy Juarez said after the match. "It wasn’t a lack of effort. It wasn’t a lack of commitment or chance creation. What can we complain about? We’re disappointed, yes, but now head up. San Jose is a team that comes swinging every single game that comes to them. San Jose is not an easy team to play. It’s going to be a heck of a game, a tough game, and we have to be ready.” 

• Updated team roster
• Injury Report:
  • OUT: Giuseppe Rossi (F) - undisclosed injury
  • OUT: Chris Garcia (F) - undisclosed injury
• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: Kyle Beckerman (M), Pablo Ruiz (M), Aaron Herrera (D)
• International duty:  None

Series Matchup at Earthquakes

• Earthquakes: 8 wins, 27 goals
• Real Salt Lake: 5 wins, 20 goals
• 4 draws

Officials

• Referee: Elton Garcia
• Assistant Referees: Cory Richardson, Ian Anderson
• 4th Official: Armando Villarreal
• VAR: Kevin Stott