PREVIEW: Sporting KC host San Jose Earthquakes as regular season returns

Sporting Kansas City vs San Jose Earthquakes

When: Saturday,  August 26 at 7:30pm CT

Where: Children’s Mercy Park

How to Watch: Apple TV

After a much-needed break, Sporting Kansas City return to MLS regular season play as they host the San Jose Earthquakes, who currently sit as the 5-seed in the Western Conference.

Injury Report

Sporting KC Injury Updates & Lineup Predictions v San Jose

It’s been over a month since an injury report was released, and Chad Smith did such a great job with his story that I won’t take too much of his thunder away and urge you all to give it a read.

However, as far as silver linings go, losing so early in the Leagues Cup may have served as a blessing in disguise to get the roster as healthy as possible. Goalkeeper Tim Melia and midfielder Nemanja Radoja are not listed on the injury report which leads me to think SKC will be able to start their strongest lineup as they make a push for the postseason.

Update: Here is the Earthquakes official report:

San Jose Earthquakes Injury/Availability Report:

OUT – Oskar Agren (loan), Judson (lower body), Nathan (ACL)

QUESTIONABLE – Jack Skahan (lower body)#Quakes74 #SportingKC #SKCvSJ

— Chad Smith (@PlayFor90) August 25, 2023

Form:

San Jose Earthquakes

Regular Season Record: 9-7-8

Last 5 (including Leagues Cup): 2-2-1

• Saturday, July 8 @ LAFC – 1-1 Draw
• Wednesday, July 12 vs Seattle Sounders – 2-0 Win
• Saturday, July 22 @ Portland Timbers – 2-0 Loss – Leagues Cup
• Sunday, July 30 vs Tigres – 1-0 Loss – Leagues Cup
• Sunday, August 20 at Vancouver Whitecaps – 1-0 Win

Sporting KC

Regular Season Record: 6-8-11

Last 5 (including Leagues Cup): 1-2-2

• Wednesday, July 12 vs Real Salt Lake – 2-2 Draw
• Saturday, July 15 @ Austin FC – 2-1 Loss
• Sunday, July 23 @ FC Cincinnati – 3-3 Draw – Leagues Cup (lost 4-2 in penalty shootout)
• Monday, July 31 vs Chivas Guadalajara – 1-0 Win – Leagues Cup
• Friday, August 4 vs Toluca – 4-1 Loss – Leagues Cup

Preview:

The last two times Vermes’ squad took the pitch, fans saw two very different versions of Sporting KC.

Against Chivas, in what almost felt like an away game in their home stadium, SKC played as good as we have seen them play in recent memory. They created chances, dominated possession and most importantly, held on to an early lead for the victory. The only critique is the number of chances that just didn’t find the back of the net.

Fast-forward to the match against Toluca and it was a night and day difference. Toluca did whatever they wanted notching two goals in each half for an easy road victory. The defense struggled against Toluca’s counterattack and chances were hard to come by. The only good takeaway was Willy Agada’s return to the scoresheet.

As Sporting looks toward the future, the playoffs are not out of the question, especially with the new play-in game, meaning at worst, SKC need to be the 9-seed to get in. The math is there and returning to playoff soccer would be a bow on top of a season that started off abysmal and was preceded by a possibly even worse one.

The good thing here is that San Jose has not been great on the road earning just 12 points in 12 away games this season. However, unlike Sporting, San Jose made an interesting addition to their roster when they signed USMNT forward Matthew Hoppe earlier this month. It may not be the sexiest signing, but surprisingly, the Earthquakes (29) have actually scored less goals than Kansas City (31) this season, sitting at a zero goal differential. Maybe that will help, maybe it won’t, but it is still noteworthy.

Defense is still a question mark for Kansas City despite a healthy lineup. It may be a good idea to forget the last outing against Toluca in preparation for the Earthquakes, but it was not the best showing the [Tim Leibold-Danny Rosero-Andreu Fontas-Jake Davis] backline.

San Jose is top-five in the West in goals allowed, with just 29 goals making it past the Earthquakes defense this season. Keepers JT Marcinkowski and Daniel have 4 clean sheets each this season.

Prediction:

Simply put I think Sporting KC can pull out a victory in this one. The table is set for a playoff push, and it is important to get off to s a strong start in the final stretch of the season. I’m thinking a solid 2-1 victory over a stout San Jose Earthquakes team will be a good way to prepare for grueling two weeks that will follow when St. Louis City visits CMP, followed by a flight south to take on the mighty Inter M(essi)iami.