The San Jose Earthquakes were MLS's best team in the regular season, winning the Supporters' Shield with an amazingly consistent run that saw them jump in front early in the year and hold on until the final day. Tonight is their first playoff test, though, and it will be the first postseason for several of their players all together. It comes against the LA Galaxy, too, the reigning MLS Cup champions who are filled with star power and experience.
LA Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes: Lineups
But for all of their experience and pedigree, LA is not very healthy. They are missing A.J. DeLaGarza because of injury, but they did get Sean Franklin back from injury after the right back missed LA's win on Thursday. It will be worth keeping an eye on David Beckham too, who is coming back from injury and looked very tired three days ago. Christian Wilhelmsson, who has been hurt, is available on the bench.
Otherwise, the only thing of note is Marcelo Sarvas coming back into the team in place of Edson Buddle, with Landon Donovan pushing up top.
The Earthquakes are going with a standard lineup, minus the injured Simon Dawkins, who is relegated to bench duty. It won them the Supporters' Shield so why mess with it?
LA Galaxy: Josh Saunders; Todd Dunivant, Omar Gonzalez, Tommy Meyer, Sean Franklin; Mike Magee, David Beckham, Juninho, Marcelo Sarvas, Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane.
San Jose Earthquakes: Jon Busch, Justin Morrow, Jason Hernandez, Victor Bernardez, Steven Beitashour, Ramiro Corrales, Sam Cronin, Rafael Baca, Marvin Chavez, Steven Lenhart, Chris Wondolowski.
See More:
