The Quakes return home to Avaya Stadium this Saturday to take on the Houston Dynamo at 7:15 p.m. PT, presented by the City of San Jose, in their third and final regular season encounter against the Texas side this year. The match will be broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area, 560 AM KSFO and 1370 KZSF.

Saturday’s game will also be the Quakes’ Mexican Heritage Night, featuring a mariachi performance by Mariachi Los Toritos, Mexican folk dancing by Grupo Los Laureles Juveniles and a wrestling match with luchadores in the 7UP Epicenter ahead of the match.

OPPONENT INFORMATION

Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo All-Time

MLS Regular Season: 7-11-2

Home: 5-4-1 (15 GF, 11 GA)

Away: 2-7-1 (8 GF, 18 GA)

All-Time Scoring: San Jose – 23, Houston – 29

Last Game vs. Houston

Earthquakes 0 – 3 Houston Dynamo; Aug. 12, 2017; BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, TX

The San Jose Earthquakes fell to the Houston Dynamo 3-0 at BBVA Compass Stadium. Earthquakes goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell made his first MLS start and denied a Houston penalty attempt in the 49th minute. Defender Francois Affolter also made his first MLS start after making his first start with the Quakes on Wednesday, Aug. 9 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinal.

History of the Quakes – Dynamo Rivalry

The history of the Earthquakes-Dynamo rivalry pre-dates their first meeting on the field, as the original San Jose Earthquakes moved to Houston following the 2005 season, with MLS eventually returning to San Jose in 2008 … The first meeting between the two clubs came on May 22, 2008, when the Earthquakes edged the Dynamo, 2-1, at Buck Shaw Stadium on the strength of second-half goals by Kei Kamara and Ivan Guerrero … On Sept. 13, 2008, the Earthquakes and Dynamo battled to the lone tie in the all-time series between the two clubs, a 1-1 draw at Buck Shaw Stadium … Later that season on Oct. 15, the Dynamo handed the Earthquakes a 2-1 defeat at Robertson Stadium … In 2009, the Earthquakes and Dynamo split the season series, with the Earthquakes winning 3-2 at Buck Shaw on March 28, and the Dynamo earning a 3-1 victory on May 23 at Robertson Stadium… With a 2-1 triumph over Houston at Robertson on Sept. 5, 2010, San Jose became the first of the two clubs to record a win on the road, as Earthquakes midfielder Khari Stephenson and former forward Geovanni each scored the first goals of their MLS careers … Houston returned the favor with a 1-0 decision at Buck Shaw on Oct. 16, 2010 … On June 4, 2011, San Jose earned a 2-0 home victory, the second-half goals coming from Steven Lenhart and Simon Dawkins … At the end of 2011, the Dynamo produced a come-from-behind 2-1 win in Houston on Sept. 17 … In 2012, the Houston Dynamo picked up a 1-0 victory thanks to a Brian Ching first-half penalty at AT&T Park in San Francisco on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17 … Houston won the two teams’ first meeting at BBVA Compass Stadium 2-0 on March 30, 2013 thanks to goals from Will Bruin and Giles Barnes … San Jose routed Houston in a 3–0 victory on May 25, 2014 at Buck Shawn Stadium in Santa Clara, CA … With the help of a second half goal by forward Adam Jahn, the Earthquakes defeated the Dynamo 1-0 on May 5, 2015 at BVAA Compass Stadium … In their second meeting of the season, the Quakes fell to the Dynamo 2-0 at Avaya Stadium on July 10 … The Earthquakes fell to the Dynamo 2-1 in their final clash of 2015 at BVAA Compass Stadium … The Quakes routed Houston 3-1 at Avaya Stadium on May 11, 2016 behind Alberto Quintero’s brace … Chris Wondolowski made history as the second player ever to score against all 21 MLS clubs in the Quakes’ 1-1 draw with Houston at BBVA Compass Stadium in their second meeting of 2016 … The Quakes fell 2-1 to the Dynamo at Avaya Stadium on Aug. 19, 2016 … In their first encounter of 2017, the Quakes fell to the Dynamo 2-0 in Texas … In their second matchup of the year, the Quakes fell 3-0 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.

Earthquakes – Dynamo Connections

Following the 2005 MLS season, the San Jose Earthquakes relocated to Houston as the Houston Dynamo … The Earthquakes (2001, 2003) and Dynamo (2006, 2007) each have a pair of MLS Cup championships, with only D.C. United (4) and the LA Galaxy (5) having earned more MLS titles … San Jose forward Chris Wondolowski played for the Dynamo from 2006-09, scoring four goals in 37 games … Houston’s Tyler Deric made his MLS debut with Houston vs. San Jose on Oct. 16, 2010, making three saves to post his first career shutout and the first in league play for the Dynamo since July 10, 2010, breaking a streak of 12 games without a shutout … Houston’s Ricardo Clark was a member of the Earthquakes in 2005, appearing in 30 games, starting all but two of the appearances and scored three goals … Quakes defender Victor Bernardez, Houston midfielder Boniek Garcia and Houston forwards Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto are all from Honduras … Bernardez and Garcia both represented Honduras in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil … … Earthquakes midfielder Matheus Silva and Dynamo midfielder Alex were both born in Sao Paulo, Brazil … Dynamo defender Jalil Anibaba is from Fontana, California and went to Santa Clara University (2007-09) … Earthquakes defender Kofi Sarkodie made 98 appearances and tallied 10 assists for Houston from 2011-15 before being traded to San Jose in 2016.

EARTHQUAKES IN THE COMMUNITY

Taste of Avaya – Fundraiser for Hurricane Harvey

Who: Earthquakes season ticket holders

What: In partnership with BMW, the Quakes Foundation will hold a small fundraiser to raise proceeds for the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts ahead of the match against Houston this Saturday

When: Tuesday, Sept. 12

Where: Avaya Stadium

PG&E Kicks for Kids Ticket Drop

Who: Earthquakes defender Victor Bernardez and Earthquakes mascot ‘Q’

What: Bringing tickets to Fly Program for the Quakes vs. Dynamo match

When: Wednesday, Sept. 13

Where: Fly Program

Wine and Dine with the Earthquakes

Who: Earthquakes players, technical staff and fans

What: The biggest community event of the year, the annual Wine and Dine with the San Jose Earthquakes raises funds for the Quakes Foundation

When: Sunday, Sept. 17 – Tickets are sold out!

Where: The Ranch Golf Club in San Jose

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

Home Cooking

Only one Western Conference side has fewer home losses than San Jose’s one (SKC - 0).

First For Everything

Quakes goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell made his first MLS start earlier this season against the Houston Dynamo on Aug. 12, making four saves and denying a penalty attempt.

Mr. Earthquakes

If Chris Wondolowski features against the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, he will make his 251st appearance for San Jose, passing Ramiro Corrales and setting a new club record.

Crucial Matchup

Separated by just two points in the Western Conference standings, a win would push San Jose above Houston and over the red line. The Quakes could also potentially pass FC Dallas, who lead them by just one point.

Shots Galore

The Earthquakes have taken 364 shots so far this season, eighth most in Major League Soccer.

Possible Returns?

Rookie of the Year candidate Nick Lima could return to the lineup on Saturday after missing the last four matches to injury. Defender Francois Affolter may also return, after a hamstring injury kept him out of back-to-back contests.

RENO 1868 FC UPDATE

The Quakes’ USL Affiliate Reno 1868 FC extended their unbeaten streak to seven consecutive matches with a 1-1 draw against Seattle Sounders 2 on Saturday. The result puts Reno within six points of clinching a 2017 USL playoff berth.

Reno 1868 FC will now travel to Texas to play Rio Grande Valley FC on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 5:30 p.m. PT in the final match of a four-game road series.

QUAKES ACADEMY UPDATE

The Quakes Boys’ Academy faced the De Anza Force Academy this weekend at the U-12, U-13, U-14, U-15, U-17 and U-19 levels. One U-12 squad, the U-13s and the U-17s all defeated the opponent with 3-1, 5-3 and 5-4 results, respectively. The boys will now face the Silicon Valley Soccer Academy on Saturday, Sept. 16.

The Quakes Girls’ Academy had a successful weekend against California Thorns FC. The U-14s won 5-1, the U-15s tied 4-4 and the U-17s earned a 2-1 victory, while the U-19s fell 2-0. The girls return to action this weekend against West Coast Futbol Club on Saturday, Sept. 16, and LA Galaxy San Diego on Sunday, Sept. 17.

NEWS ARTICLES

Earthquakes form advisory board to guide push to be technology leader

By Ian Thomas, Sports Business Journal

https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2017/09/04/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/Earthquakes.aspx

San Jose Earthquakes stay focused on playoff quest despite Toronto blowout

By James Grossi, mlssoccer.com

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/09/10/san-jose-earthquakes-stay-focused-playoff-quest-despite-toronto-blowout

Andrew Tarbell nominated for MLS Save of the Week

Staff, mlssoccer.com

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/09/11/vote-save-week-week-27

San Jose Earthquakes' Marco Ureña credits MLS for Costa Rica resurgence

By Franco Panizo, mlssoccer.com

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/09/07/san-jose-earthquakes-marco-urena-credits-mls-costa-rica-resurgence

Marco Ureña named to EA Sports Team of the Week 51

Staff, easports.com

https://www.easports.com/fifa/ultimate-team/fut/team/17/totw-51