Previewing Houston Dynamo vs San Jose Earthquakes vs Quakes Epicenter
(image via San Jose Earthquakes)
The Houston Dynamo are back home after a win on the road to host the San Jose Earthquakes at Shell Energy Stadium Saturday night. We talked to our friend Jamon Moore from Quakes Epicenter to get some insight on the Earthquakes ahead of tomorrow’s match.
Bayou City Soccer (BCS): The Earthquakes picked up their first win of the season last weekend. What changed for them in this match that led to a more successful result?
Quakes Epicenter (QE): Getting Niko Tsakiris back was a big key. The Quakes midfield has been less mobile after deciding not to return Jamiro Monteiro, and Niko adds mobility and attacking punch. Also, they looked better with Alfredo Morales at the 6. Carlos Gruezo was away on international duty. Preston Judd provides the ability to run in behind when he's the striker, which is different than Jeremy Ebobisse, and that helped the Quakes get the second goal. Not to be outdone, Ebobisse subbed on to get the winning goal. The striker competition is good for the team.
BCS: Teenager Niko Tsakiris got his first start in the win over Seattle. How important is his play and development for the Quakes this season?
QE: Niko is not yet the finished product. He's only 18. But he's got the ability to attack space and provide mobility that the midfield lacks without him. If he can improve defensively so the step down from Monteiro is not too much, then the sky is truly the limit for this kid.
BCS: San Jose has given up 11 goals this season. Has the defense struggled or what else is causing them to concede more than twice per match?
QE: There has been both good reasons and fluky reasons for goals. On the good reasons side, their transition defense has been too easy to break down. That leads back to the mobility problem. The center back pairing is new, and there is some work there to be done in those situations. The other reason has been set piece defense, but only one goal has come off of a first phase. The other set piece goals have felt fluky. The penalty call on Paul Marie was extremely soft last week, and with the regular refs returning, we should see fewer calls like that.
BCS: Cristian Espinoza had a great season in 2023. What makes him so good in Luchi Gonzalez’s system and what are the expectations for him in 2024?
QE: Luchi likes to play through his wingers, and he wants to encourage them to come inside and attack space more than Matias Almeyda did. Almeyda kept Espinoza pinned to the outside and taking distance shots. Espinoza now is asked to attack the box, giving him a significantly better conversion rate for his shots.
QE: Do San Jose have any injuries coming into this match and what do you expect for a lineup against the Dynamo Saturday?
QE: Goalkeeper Daniel is out for a few months now after hamstring surgery. Carlos Akapo also appears to be out for an extended period of time. There is some ambiguity with new winger Amahl Pellegrino's situation which we hope to learn more about in Thursday's press conference. If Pellegrino can't go, then the resurgent Benji Kikanovic is expected to start.
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We want to thank Jamon for his time and wish our friends in the Bay Area the best of luck tomorrow night.
