Quakes host Rapids in matchup of win-hungry teams

A pair of teams desperate to find the positive form they possessed earlier in the season will meet Saturday when the San Jose Earthquakes play host to the Colorado Rapids.

It will be the Earthquakes' first home game since March 7, while the Rapids will be playing in an opponent's venue for just the second time this season.

It all started out so positive for the Rapids (2-3-2, eight points) with victories in their first two games of the season. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, along with the stoppage of play.

The Rapids are 0-3-2 since, including a 1-1 tie at home against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday.

The Earthquakes (2-3-2, eight points) found their stride in the MLS is Back Tournament near Orlando, winning Group B with a 2-0-1 record (seven points), then defeating Real Salt Lake in the knockout stage before they were eliminated 4-1 by Minnesota United FC.

Since then, the Earthquakes dropped a 3-2 decision Saturday against the Los Angeles Galaxy and endured a humbling 5-1 defeat to Los Angeles FC on Wednesday. Both games were in the Los Angeles area.

"We have a game at home against Colorado, who's a good team, (and) we're excited to be playing in our own stadium," San Jose midfielder Shea Salinas said. "... Last season, we lost to LAFC 5-0 and the next game we won 3-0 against Portland at home. So, let's go do that again."

The Rapids took a 1-0 lead against Sporting Kansas City in the 57th minute on a goal from 19-year-old midfielder Cole Bassett, but conceded a goal 10 minutes later and came away with a single point. Bassett played 68 minutes in just his second start of the season.

The Rapids played a man up starting in the 78th minute after SKC's Gadi Kinda was sent off for unsporting behavior, but could not convert the advantage into another goal.

It was an impressive effort from the Rapids' defense to keep a high-scoring Sporting K.C. team in check. SKC entered with the MLS lead in goals, an honor now held by LAFC.

"When you talk about the defense, it's really the whole team, and we did a decent job of moving as a team," Colorado head coach Robin Fraser said.

"As our front group was able to apply decent pressure, then our back guys had to deal with some one-on-one situations, and overall I thought they did quite well," Fraser said.

--Field Level Media