By Felix Petersson
The San Jose Earthquakes are back in town to welcome the Portland Timbers after coming of two road matches.
The Earthquakes (1-4-2) lost both matches in Orlando and Columbus and are still winless since their March 3 season opener.
The Portland Timbers (2-3-2) however, are showing good form and enter Saturday’s match with two-straight wins. In their last game, they beat the then undefeated New York City FC 3-0.
Home-pitch advantage has worked for the Quakes against the Timbers in the past. In nine tries, Portland has only left San Jose with one victory. Last year, the teams battled at Avaya twice, and the ‘Quakes took both, 2-1 and 3-0.
Captain Chris Wondolowski, who scored three times total in those two matches last year, will be a threat to the Timbers’ defense.
Portland won the Western Conference last year and are in 10th place right now — one spot above the Earthquakes.
Strikers Diego Valeri and Fanendo Adi are their biggest threats offensively. Valeri finished as the third best goal scorer last year with 21 goals.
One drawback for the Earthquakes is central defender Yeferson Quintana. He left last weekend’s match injured and is questionable for Saturday’s game.
The historical record between the clubs is 8-4, Timbers. Seven games have ended with a tie.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
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