LAFC are all set to take on in-state foes San Jose Earthquakes in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 at BMO Stadium.
The Black and Gold secured their place in the last 16 of Leagues Cup 2024 after their 2-0 triumph over Austin FC. Denis Boaunga and Cristian Olivera were on the scoresheet for Steve Cherundolo’s side as they look to keep the momentum going at home vs San Jose.
San Jose shocked just about all of North America with a 5-0 thrashing of Liga MX’s Necaxa in their Round of 32 clash with Jeremy Ebobisse claiming a brace. Although the Earthquakes have endured a terrible league season, they’ve managed to turn things up a notch in their Leagues Cup run.
Here’s 90min‘s preview of LAFC vs San Jose.
Current form (all competitions)
|
LAFC |
San Jose Earthquakes |
|---|---|
|
LAFC 2-0 Austin FC – 07/08/2024 |
San Jose Earthquakes 5-0 Necaxa – 08/08/2024 |
|
LAFC 2-2 Vancouver Whitecaps (2-4 on penalties) – 30/07/2024 |
San Jose Earthquakes 1-2 LA Galaxy – 31/07/2024 |
|
LAFC 3-0 Tijuana – 26/07/2024 |
Chivas 1-1 San Jose Earthquakes (3-4 on penalties) – 27/07/2024 |
|
Seattle Sounders 0-3 LAFC – 20/07/2024 |
Minnesota United 2-0 San Jose Earthquakes – 20/07/2024 |
|
LAFC 1-1 Real Salt Lake – 17/07/2024 |
San Jose Earthquakes 0-1 Houston Dynamo – 17/07/2024 |
You can watch all of the Leagues Cup 2024 action on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
The only LAFC player unavailable for selection is midfielder Timothy Tillman, who’s still recovering from a leg injury and is expected to return later this month.
Summer signing Olivier Giroud will be in the matchday squad, but how many minutes the Frenchman gets remains unknown. If LAFC open up a comfortable lead, or if a late goal is required, Giroud may be called upon.
LAFC predicted lineup vs San Jose Earthquakes ( 3-4-3 ): Lloris; Murillo, Chanot, Long; Hollingshead, Atuesta, Sanchez, Campos; Olivera, Bogusz, Bouanga.
Midfielder Carlos Akapo will miss the match with a hip injury, and the 30-year-old is expected to return to the mix by early September.
San Jose Earthquakes predicted lineup vs LAFC ( 4-2-3-1 ): Yarbrough; Kikanovic, Munie, Rodrigues, Costa; Yueill, Gruezo; Espinoza, Lopez, Pellegrino; Ebobisse.
Even though San Jose will be in good spirits and full of confidence after their win over Necaxa, they face stiff competition in reaching the Quarter-finals against a team that toppled them 6-2 in their most previous meeting.
It more than likely won’t be a repeat of that blowout match, but LAFC will still claim victory and secure their place in the last eight of Leagues Cup.
Prediction: LAFC 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes