The Union look to defend their turf against San Jose.
The Philadelphia Union play host to the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, April 30th from Talen Energy Stadium. The Union currently find themselves sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference with 12 points through seven matches, coming off a 2-0 home victory over New York City FC last week. The Quakes come to Philly riding a 1-0 home victory of their own over Sporting Kansas City and are in a threeway tie for third in the Western Conference with 14 points through 8 games.
With the win over New York City, the Union are now perfect through their first three home matches, a first in club history, and have a five match winning streak at home going back to last season. Their attack has been carried by C.J. Sapong and Chris Pontius this season scoring seven of the team’s ten goals so far with all four of Sapong’s coming at home. In fact, the Union have outscored opponents 7-1 this season and only one of those games has been close: a 90th minute 2-1 victory over Orlando City SC.
San Jose will prove a real test for the Union’s home record with the league’s scoring leader, Chris Wondolowski, coming to town. The Quakes’ captain has seven goals to his tally this year and is once again a favorite for the Golden Boot award. San Jose has yet to win on the road this season though, recording two losses and a tie so far as visitors.
Wondolowski is the only Earthquake with multiple goals this season but it’s been his consistency that’s helped carry San Jose to their 4-2-2 record as Wondolowski has failed to score in only one match this season. To continue his goal scoring run, he’ll have to find a way past a Union defense led by Joshua Yaro and Rickie Marquez and goalkeeper Andre Blake who have only allowed six shots on goal this season.
The Quakes’ defense has not been as stalwart on the road, giving up 16 shots on goal and allowing 8 goals in those games including two penalty kicks. Missing Clarence Goodson has been tough for San Jose and his replacement, Andres Imperiale, will be missing for this game as well after receiving a suspension for a tackle against Sporting’s Dom Dwyer. Defensive midfielder Fatai Alashe has stepped into the center back roll before and has done quite well in his appearances but is not the defensive force that Goodson provides.
Fabinho will be missing from the Union defense as well, receiving suspension for card accumulation against NYCFC, and it’s likely Ray Gaddis will fill in on the left. Expect Gaddis to have his hands full with Quincy Amarikwa and Alberto Quintero who bring a lot of pace to the Quakes attack.
The Quakes have shown strong performances in their last two road games but been unable to translate their play to a win and the Union will be a difficult team to end their road winless streak against as they look to improve on their best start since 2011.
The match kicks off at 4 PM Eastern Time and will be broadcast on 6abc in Philadelphia and CSN Plus in San Jose.
San Jose Earthquakes
Philadelphia Union
