This weekend's Major League Soccer action sees San Jose Earthquakes welcome Toronto FC to Avaya Stadium hoping to get their first win in the league since May 11th, 2016.
The Earthquakes are currently on a seven-match winless streak and if they want to keep any hope alive of making the playoffs, they will need to pick up all three points against their visitors this weekend. Toronto is currently in a playoff spot but with teams below them a slip-up away and only managing to pick up a point away during the mid-week fixture against Columbus Crew, the Canadian side will be looking to a recently rested Sebastian Giovinco to help them get a win here.
The Earthquakes need to find a win, quickly
No wins in the last seven matches tells the story of how San Jose has lost their momentum at this point in the season. The Earthquakes currently sit six points away from a playoff spot and although they have two games in hand on Vancouver Whitecaps, they will not want to rely on potential points especially as their away form has let them down this season. Away from Avaya, San Jose has not managed a single win yet and it has placed them lower than where they want to be. This match-up against Toronto will be at home, where the Earthquakes have fared far better this season but they will be looking to take no chances this weekend, no matter their home record.
Chris Wondolowski continues to lead the team in goals with seven in his last fourteen games, unfortunately, no one else on the team has stepped up in support. Shea Salinas continues to be the main creative force for San Jose but they will need more than just those two players to show up against Toronto.
Giovinco key to Toronto's success
After being rested for the midweek fixture, Sebastian Giovinco is expected to once again, be the focal point for Toronto's attack. The Italian forward has eight goals and seven assists this season, making him Toronto's key creator as well. Giovinco has not found the back of the net in his last six matches, however, and he will be looking to bring an end to his drought against a slightly shaky Earthquakes backline. Toronto will also look to Jordan Hamilton who has started to look the part coming in for the still-injured Jozy Altidore, at the top of Toronto's attack.
Toronto has been steady away from home this season, coming away undefeated in eight out of eleven away matches. Their resilience on the road has been key to their success and another strong performance will be needed here as they try and distance themselves from the chasing pack below them, and to solidify their place above the red line in the race for the playoffs.
Key points
San Jose's best aspect this season has been their record at home. Of the nine matches they have played there, they have only lost three matches. Their biggest weakness continues to be their defense as they have let in twenty-one goals this season, something a great attacking presence like Giovinco could exploit.
Toronto will hope that Giovinco rediscovers his clinical finishing this weekend and if he starts, Jay Chapman could continue his good form so far and help find the passes that could free up Giovinco and Hamilton. Toronto's backline will also be a cause for concern as they tend to switch off at times and if their midfield cannot keep ahold of the ball, the backline could be left exposed for the likes of Wondolowski to take advantage of.