UPDATE: David Villa withdrew from the XI minutes before kick-off and was replaced by Jo Inge Berget.
There was one change to the NYCFC XI at San Jose.
Anton TInnerholm comes in for Ben Sweat, who was ill in the week, as the only alteration the side which drew 2-2 at New England, meaning Ismael Tajouri-Shradi will have the chance to add to his two goals in three starts.
Ebenezer Ofori continues to replace the injured Alex Ring at the base of midfield, alongside Yangel Herrera and Maxi Moralez, while Berget is flanked by Jesus Medina and Tajouri-Shradi.
At the back, Tinnerholm is joined by Saad Abdul-Salaam, Maxime Chanot and Alexander Callens, ahead of Sean Johnson in goal.
NYCFC are unbeaten through four games of this young MLS season, winning three and drawing one of those games.
You can watch the 8pm kick-off on ESPN 2, or listen in English on WNYE 91.5FM, or in Spanish on WADO 1280AM.
NYCFC XI: Johnson, Abdul-Salaam, Chanot, Callens, Tinnerholm, Ofori, Herrera, Moralez, Medina, Tajouri-Shradi, Berget
Subs: Stuver, Hountondji, Awuah, Ibeagha, Sands, McNamara, Lewis
Key Stats
- The Earthquakes have yet to beat NYCFC in their three all-time meetings (2W-1D). San Jose did hold New York to a scoreless draw in the only prior game in San Jose.
- The Earthquakes have won each of their last three regular season home games, scoring multiple goals in each. The last time San Jose scored multiple goals in four straight regular season home games was from August 11– October 21, 2012, a six-game run.
- NYCFC has lost just one of their last eight league road games (3W-4D), averaging 1.4 goals per game in that time.
- San Jose has scored on just two of their five big chance opportunities so far this season. Only five teams have converted fewer big chances into goals.
- NYCFC’s 1.27 expected goals against per game is the fifth-lowest total in the league.
- Valeri Qazaishvili is one of nine players already this season to have at least four goals+assists (2G-2A).
- NYCFC keeper Sean Johnson completed 61 of 83 pass attempts in the club’s 2-2 draw with New England last weekend. Both are the most by any keeper in MLS play since the start of 2010.
- Yangel Herrera has been involved in 103 duels, 30 more than any other MLS player.
- Chris Wondolowski has one goal in three appearances against the Cityzens, tied for his fewest against any MLS club.
- Anibal Godoy joined MLS in August 2015 and has been booked 24 times since, tied for the second most of any player in the league in that timeframe (regular season only).
