Earthquakes Begin MLS Season With Match Against Real Salt Lake

Henrik Larsen

4 min read

Post on May 16, 2025

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Pre-Season Form and Expectations

San Jose Earthquakes' Preparation

The Earthquakes enter the season with a blend of optimism and cautious excitement. Their pre-season friendlies showcased flashes of brilliance, alongside areas needing refinement. The team's fitness levels appear strong, and the new signings have integrated well, adding depth and dynamism to the squad.

• Key Player Performances: Jeremy Ebobisse showed excellent goal-scoring form in pre-season, while Cade Cowell continues to impress with his pace and dribbling skills. The midfield partnership of Jackson Yueill and Jan Gregus looks promising.
• Injuries and Absences: Fortunately, the Earthquakes have reported minimal injury concerns heading into the season opener, a significant positive for head coach Luchi Gonzalez.
• Tactical Changes: Coach Gonzalez is expected to continue employing a fluid 4-3-3 formation, emphasizing quick passing and attacking transitions.

Real Salt Lake's Outlook

Real Salt Lake, known for their strong defensive organization and counter-attacking prowess, had a relatively solid pre-season. However, they'll need to address concerns about their attacking consistency if they hope to challenge for a playoff spot this year.

• Key Players and Pre-Season Performance: Veteran midfielder Albert Rusnak will be crucial in dictating the tempo of the game for Real Salt Lake. Their forward line will need to find its rhythm quickly to pose a threat to the Earthquakes' defense.
• Notable Transfers and Squad Changes: Real Salt Lake made some key additions to their squad during the off-season, bolstering their defensive options and adding depth to their midfield. The integration of these new players will be vital to their early season success.
• Tactical Approach and Challenges: Real Salt Lake is likely to adopt a compact defensive shape, aiming to frustrate the Earthquakes and hit them on the counter. Their ability to contain the pace of Cowell and the finishing prowess of Ebobisse will be key.

Key Players to Watch

Earthquakes Key Players

• Jeremy Ebobisse: The Earthquakes' main attacking threat, Ebobisse's clinical finishing and ability to find space in the box will be vital. His pre-season form suggests he's ready to lead the line effectively.
• Cade Cowell: Cowell's pace and dribbling skills make him a nightmare for opposing defenses. His ability to create chances and score himself will be crucial for the Earthquakes' attacking strategy.
• Jackson Yueill: The midfield anchor, Yueill's distribution and defensive work rate will be key to controlling the tempo of the game and providing a solid platform for the Earthquakes' attacks.

Real Salt Lake Key Players

• Albert Rusnak: Rusnak's creativity and playmaking ability are essential to Real Salt Lake's attacking play. His vision and passing accuracy can unlock the Earthquakes’ defense.
• Damir Kreilach: Kreilach's physical presence and leadership in midfield will be key to dominating possession and dictating the tempo of the game.
• Sergio Cordova: Cordova's goalscoring ability will be crucial for Real Salt Lake. His ability to find the back of the net will be a key factor in determining the match outcome.

Match Prediction and Potential Scenarios

The Earthquakes vs Real Salt Lake game promises to be a tightly contested affair. While the Earthquakes possess a more potent attacking threat, Real Salt Lake's defensive solidity makes them a difficult opponent to break down.

• Potential Scenarios: A 2-1 victory for the Earthquakes seems plausible, with Ebobisse and Cowell causing problems for the Real Salt Lake defense. A 1-0 win for either side is also a realistic outcome, given the potential for a tight defensive battle. A high-scoring draw is another possibility, depending on the effectiveness of both teams' attacks.

Where to Watch the Earthquakes vs Real Salt Lake Match

Fans can catch all the action of the Earthquakes vs Real Salt Lake match on various platforms:

• Television: Check your local listings for broadcast information.
• Streaming: The match will likely be streamed on MLS Season Pass.

Conclusion

The Earthquakes vs Real Salt Lake season opener is a highly anticipated clash, setting the tone for both teams' campaigns. The key players to watch include Ebobisse and Cowell for the Earthquakes, and Rusnak and Cordova for Real Salt Lake. The match promises a blend of attacking flair and defensive resilience, with a range of potential outcomes. Don't miss the Earthquakes' season opener against Real Salt Lake! Get ready for an exciting Earthquakes vs Real Salt Lake clash! Catch all the action of the Earthquakes vs Real Salt Lake match! [Link to MLS Season Pass] [Link to San Jose Earthquakes Official Website]