St Louis CITY2 (4-8-6, 23 points) wraps up their two-game road trip with a bout against San Jose Earthquakes II (6-7-4, 25 points) at PayPal Park on Sunday, July 23. The match will kick off at 7:00 p.m. CT and will be streamed on MLSNEXTPro.com.
The contest will be the first meeting between CITY2 and Earthquakes II this season. Last season, San Jose took home two points when the teams first met, but CITY2 responded with an offensive outburst in the return fixture, claiming the road victory.
On the road this season, CITY2 is 3-4-2 (13 points) with a minus-two goal differential. Earthquakes II are 1-5-3 (9 points) with a minus-three goal differential in their home contests thus far.
For the eleventh time this season, CITY2 held their opponent scoreless in the first half when they battled LA Galaxy II their last time out. Despite a supreme defensive showing from CITY2, finishing the match with more duels won (51), tackles won (16), saves (5) and clearances (21) than Los Angeles, a 71st minute goal from Galaxy II’s Carson Klein sealed the victory for the home side.
Over their last five games, CITY2’s four (4) goals allowed are tied with New England Revolution II for the fourth fewest by any team in MLS NEXT Pro. Since losing 4-2 to Huntsville City FC on June 11, the squad has not allowed two or more goals against in a single match. CITY2’s thirteen (13) goals on the road are the twelfth most in MLS NEXT Pro this season.
CITY2’s road play has come into form over their last five away matches, outscoring opponents by three (3) goals en route to a 3-2-0 record (9 points). In that stretch, midfielder Faysal Bettache leads the team in key passes (8), midfielder Sergio Rivas leads the team in tackles won (16) and midfielder Ezra Armstrong leads the team in duels won (72).
Earthquakes II come into the contest having faltered against Sporting Kansas City II last weekend, losing 2-1. After snagging points in all five of their June matches, the team has yet to pick up points in July. Across, however, the entire season thus far, Quakes II have locked down opposing teams’ offenses, their six (6) clean sheets tied for second most in MLS NEXT Pro.
