Luchi Gonzalez admits his group must be taught the distinction between competing and profitable as they goal to bounce again in opposition to Austin FC on Saturday.
The Earthquakes at present sit backside of the Western Convention with 10 factors, having received simply three video games this season.
Gonzalez highlighted his group has no hassle competing with their opponents and is optimistic they’ll flip leads into precise wins quickly.
“The results of the final sport [against Austin], we didn’t get the job executed there on the finish though we thought we have been about to, however we’re competing persistently in any competitors,” he mentioned.
“We’ve had the lead in eight out of [14 MLS games]. That does present you that we’re prepared, we’re ready and we compete. Competing and profitable are two various things. We’ve bought to maintain engaged on our skill to make selections individually, collectively.”
On the different finish of the desk, Austin sit in third with 22 factors, simply six behind leaders Actual Salt Lake after back-to-back wins over Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas Metropolis.
Head coach Josh Wolff was happy along with his aspect’s method in latest weeks however urged them to maintain up that degree as they head right into a busy week.
“We’re very spirited, we’re very organised and opportunistic,” Wolff mentioned.
“We’ve proven we will rating targets, that’s not an issue. We’ve got to maintain approaching video games in a meticulous manner, a accountable and disciplined manner in order that we will win.”
Gunning for revenge at residence.
Try the historical past between these two groups and why this matchup has quite a bit driving on it for each.
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) Might 24, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
San Jose Earthquakes – Jeremy Ebobisse
Ebobisse has scored 5 targets in seven profession matches in opposition to Austin FC. Solely Jesus Ferreira (6) has scored extra MLS targets in opposition to the Verde.
Austin – Sebastian Driussi
Driussi has scored seven targets in seven profession video games in opposition to the Earthquakes. No participant has scored extra targets in opposition to a single opponent than Driussi in opposition to San Jose since he joined MLS in 2021.
MATCH PREDICTION: SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES WIN
Austin recorded their first-ever win over San Jose on April 6 with a 4-3 residence victory (D5 L2). There have been at the very least 4 targets scored in 5 of the eight matches between the edges, together with a pair of seven-goal video games.
San Jose has misplaced 4 of their first six residence league matches this season (W2) after dropping simply twice at PayPal Park in the course of the 2023 common season. The ‘Quakes have conceded at the very least as soon as in 11 straight regular-season residence matches courting again to final yr.
In the meantime, Austin have received six of its final 9 regular-season matches (D1 L2), together with the final two in a row. Solely three groups have collected extra factors than Austin’s 19 since that run started in late March.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
San Jose Earthquakes – 41.2%
Draw – 28.6%
Austin – 30.2%