David Villa returns to the New York City FC reckoning for the team’s third MLS road trip of 2018.
The Club’s record goalscorer missed the last two games with a calf injury but the Spanish striker has traveled to the West Coast and could feature for the first time since the Home Opener win over LA Galaxy.
READ:Major Keys to NYCFC at San Jose Earthquakes
Rodney Wallace is also back in line for selection after returning from international duty with Costa Rica, bolstering Head Coach Patrick Vieira’s attacking options.
Two players who will not make the trip are Ronald Matarrita and Alex Ring, who both miss out through injury.
Matarrita, who sustained a hamstring injury in the win over Orlando City, is making good progress on his recovery and is expected to return to training with his teammates next week.
As for Ring, the midfielder was ruled out for up to a month after sustaining a knee injury on international duty but he’s also making good progress and should return to the field in April.
According to MLSSoccer.com, San Jose will be at full strength for this match, with no injuries or suspensions reported on the site.
The Earthquakes have played just two games so far in 2018, winning one and losing one, both by 3-2 scorelines.
You can watch our showdown with San Jose at 8pm ET on ESPN 2.
WATCH:On the Line – NYCFC at San Jose Earthquakes
Injury Report
NYCFC
OUT - Ronald Matarrita, Alex Ring
San Jose
OUT - None
Key Stats
- The Earthquakes have yet to beat NYCFC in their three all-time meetings (2W-1D). San Jose did hold New York to a scoreless draw in the only prior game in San Jose.
- The Earthquakes have won each of their last three regular season home games, scoring multiple goals in each. The last time San Jose scored multiple goals in four straight regular season home games was from August 11– October 21, 2012, a six-game run.
- NYCFC has lost just one of their last eight league road games (3W-4D), averaging 1.4 goals per game in that time.
- San Jose has scored on just two of their five big chance opportunities so far this season. Only five teams have converted fewer big chances into goals.
- NYCFC’s 1.27 expected goals against per game is the fifth-lowest total in the league.
- Valeri Qazaishvili is one of nine players already this season to have at least four goals+assists (2G-2A).
- NYCFC keeper Sean Johnson completed 61 of 83 pass attempts in the club’s 2-2 draw with New England last weekend. Both are the most by any keeper in MLS play since the start of 2010.
- Yangel Herrera has been involved in 103 duels, 30 more than any other MLS player.
- Chris Wondolowski has one goal in three appearances against the Cityzens, tied for his fewest against any MLS club.
- Anibal Godoy joined MLS in August 2015 and has been booked 24 times since, tied for the second most of any player in the league in that timeframe (regular season only).
