Each Major League Soccer matchday in 2021, the KeyBank Scouting Report will give you a snapshot of the Portland Timbers’ next opponent. On Wednesday, Portland begin a stretch of two games in four days at home when they host the San Jose Earthquakes at Providence Park (7:30pm PT, TICKETS, ROOT SPORTS).
Team Form
San Jose come into the match with a record of 4-7-5 which places them in 11th place in the Western Conference, even on points with 10th place FC Dallas at 17. Most recently, the Quakes defeated Seattle Sounders FC 1-0 at Lumen Field behind a goal from Cristian Espinoza.
Portland last faced San Jose in a 2-0 win on May 15 at PayPal Park behind goals from Yimmi Chara and Marvin LorÃa. Since that match, the Earthquakes have won only one game – the aforementioned victory last week over Seattle – going 1-4-5.
Head coach Matias Almeyda is in his fourth season with the club with a coaching record of 27-34-17.
In attack
The Earthquakes offense is led by 17-year old Homegrown midfielder Cade Cowell who leads the team with four goals and is tied for the lead with four assists. Their attack is also strengthened by midfielders and fellow Designated Players Cristian Espinoza (two goals, four assists) and Javier López (one goal, three assists).
All-time MLS goal-scoring leader Chris Wondolowski has appeared in 15 matches in 2021 – 10 times off the bench – and has two goals.
In Defense
No player in MLS has been fouled more than San Jose defensive midfielder Eric Remedi this season (64 times). Remedi is also tied for the fifth-most fouls committed in the league with 32. Overall, the 96 fouls that Remedi has been involved in are over 20 more than any other player in MLS in 2021.
Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski has started and played every minute of 2021 for San Jose with two clean sheets.
Centerback Oswaldo Alanis, on loan from Liga MX side Chivas Guadalajara, has made 12 starts along the backline while former Stanford Cardinal star Tanner Beason has started the last five matches for San Jose.
