St. Louis City vs San Jose Earthquakes Picks and Predictions July 3rd 2024

Struggling St. Louis City and San Jose Earthquakes Clash Under Interim Coaches

A highly anticipated clash between two struggling Western Conference teams is set for Wednesday night as St. Louis City hosts the San Jose Earthquakes. With both teams under the guidance of interim coaches, this match is critical for breaking their respective losing streaks and reviving their seasons.

St. Louis City’s Season Overview

St. Louis City, with a record of 3-7-10 and 19 points, has fallen from grace since winning the Western Conference in 2023. Currently sitting in 12th place, three spots below the playoff line, the team is desperate for a turnaround.

Recent Struggles

St. Louis has managed just one point in their last four matches and hasn’t secured a win since a 3-1 home victory against the Chicago Fire on May 11. Their most recent game was a 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps, extending their winless streak to nine matches (0-6-3). Goals from Njabulo Blom, Eduard Lowen, and Nokkvi Thorisson were not enough to prevent the defeat.

Coaching Change

The team’s poor performance led to the dismissal of coach Bradley Carnell, with technical director John Hackworth stepping in as interim coach. “This was not an easy decision,” said sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel. “We believe a coaching change is in the best interest of the club as we regroup and look to improve both our performance and our results.”

San Jose Earthquakes’ Disappointing Season

The Earthquakes (3-15-2) have had an even tougher season, sitting at the bottom of the MLS standings with just 11 points. They have the most losses and the worst goal differential (-25) in the league, having conceded 54 goals—10 more than any other team.

Recent Performances

San Jose has lost five consecutive matches and hasn’t earned a point since a draw against Austin FC on May 25. Their last victory was a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids on May 11. Over their five-match losing streak, they’ve been outscored 20-6.

Interim Coach’s First Game

In their most recent match, a 3-0 loss to the LA Galaxy, Ian Russell served as San Jose’s interim coach for the first time this season. Midfielder Jackson Yueill commented, “This is only the first week with Ian, so a lot of the philosophies have been the same. There are some new ideas and tactical adjustments. It’s about getting everyone on the same page and executing. We take it game by game.”

Head-to-Head History

Last season, in their inaugural campaign, St. Louis City dominated both meetings against the Earthquakes, outscoring them 5-1. This history could provide a psychological advantage for St. Louis City as they aim to regain their winning form.

What to Expect in the Match

With both teams under interim leadership, this match is pivotal. St. Louis City will look to leverage their previous success against San Jose, while the Earthquakes will aim to adapt quickly to Russell’s new strategies. The outcome could significantly influence the direction of both teams’ seasons.

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