Game Thread: Crew SC vs. San Jose Earthquakes

Columbus Crew SC have now gone four games without a win, as the San Jose Earthquakes come to town. The visitors are in even poorer form, not having won since the opening day of the Major League Soccer season. This marks a run of five straight without a win for the Quakes. Crew SC have struggled to play a complete game, as either the offense struggles to finish chances or the defense has let the result slip. San Jose, well, they’ve scored, but the defense has been even more porous.

Live updates:

90’+ Quakes moving the ball around the top of the box. Lalas with a key interception and a sliding tackle to help keep the lead.

79’ Crew SC substitution: Ricardo Clark on for Artur.

79’ Crew SC substitution: Ricardo Clark on for Artur.

78’ Afful with a very good back post cross that Pipa heads down and Tarbell push it over. What a chance!

67’ A through ball from Higuain finds Pedro who’s taken down. No call. Ball was too far away to get the call.

65’ Crew SC substitution: Mike Grella in for Hansen. First time Grella has played for Crew SC. First game since early June of last year after a knee injury.

62’ Abubakar slides in the box and Wondo goes down. Quakes want a penalty. They won’t get one though.

53’ Eriksson pulls the trigger from the top of the box. His curling effort goes just wide.

51’ Afful pulls back to the top box to Valenzuela. He fires a shot that is saved. Zardes’ follow up is deflected wide. Now the referee is thinking about VAR.

HT: Crew SC 1 Quakes 1

45’ Hoesen heads home the equalizer. #CrewSC get lost defensively before the half again. 1-1

39’ Santos with a dangerous cross, but Hansen’s header is wide.

36’ Hansen finds Valenzuela wide. His cross has multiple guys in front of goal, but no one can direct it home.

35’ Santos’ corner curls to the back post, but Hansen’s acrobatic shot is over the goal.

28’ Higuain finds Afful out wide. The King rockets it into the roof of the net. 1-0 Crew SC.

11’ Santos down holding his hand. Slow to get up and still holding his hand.

8’ Quakes substitution: Quintana is off injured for Francois Affolter.

3’ An early yellow card to Godoy for a bad tackle on Higuain.

Previews:

Ralph Schudel previews the Earthquakes as they get settled under first year head coach Mikael Stahre. Nathaniel Marhefka has bold thoughts on how Crew SC should lineup in his tactical preview. The Massive Report staff is bullish on the chances on a Columbus win in the staff predictions.

Lineups:

Injuries and Absences:

Crew SC: Midfielder Eduardo Sosa is the only player that remains on the injury list and isn’t likely to play. Mike Grella might be primed for a substitute role after his long layoff.

San Jose: Only midfielder Tommy Thompson is out with an illness.

How to watch:

Date: Saturday, April 28, 2018, 7:30 PM ET

Venue: MAPFRE Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)

TV: CW Columbus, Spectrum Sports, BCSN2

Radio: English: CD102.5 FM / ColumbusCrewSC.com Spanish: ColumbusCrewSC.com

Stream: ESPN+