After spending much of the spring above the red line in the Western Conference, the San Jose Earthquakes dropped two straight league matches — to the LA Galaxy and Portland Timbers — and are now on the outside of the playoffs chase. Their task to move back up the standings won’t be easy, however, as the Quakes welcome first-place Sporting Kansas City to Avaya Stadium this Saturday, kick-off at an earlier than usual 5:45 p.m.
Compounding San Jose’s task is the absence of three key players due to suspension and injury.