One More Time

We just beat these guys 3-0 in their place a month ago, but the Earthquakes are in town for our second, and last, meeting of the season.  They've gotten better since then, signing Hernan Lopez as their #10 and a DP.  They pulled off an upset of LAFC last week with him coming off the bench at half.  I think we can expect him to start this week, but not play the full 90.  Kickoff is at the normal 7:30 at the Dick, and it could be a bit wet.

Player Availability:

OUT: M Kimani Stewart-Baynes (knee)

QUESTIONABLE: M Jonathan Lewis (knee), M Djordje Mihailovic (non-injury)

"Non-injury" almost certainly refers to the fact that his wife is due with their first child any day (it may possibly have happened and they haven't announced it yet).  What's notable is who's not on this list.  Connor Ronan.  I don't think he'll be starting tomorrow, even if Djordje isn't available, but it will be nice to see him on the bench as an option.

The team will wear the New Day kit for their home games during Mental Health Awareness month

This assumes Mihailovic won't be available.  In that scenario I think Armas stays largely with the lineup he used in NYC last week, though he gives Harris a rotational start.  This is the first time we'll get to see how Armas approaches a 3-games-in-a-week scenario, especially with a big rivalry game to finish the week out.  That could lead to some surprises.

If Mihailovic can go we probably go back to our 4-5-1 we've been using, with Yapi moving back to the bench.

Prediction: 2-1 win, goals by Bassett and Harris.  This is a hard one to pick without knowing how much Armas might rotate the squad.  If we get a full-strength squad (or as close as we can get to one) I think we can get the 3 points at home.  The expected rain will make for a sloppy game but Bassett finally gets a home goal as the winner.