Earthquakes prep for must-win finale against Austin FC with playoff hopes still alive
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Earthquakes prep for must-win finale against Austin FC with playoff hopes still alive
"Even if the Earthquakes win at PayPal Park Saturday night in their regular-season finale against Austin FC, odds are Bruce Arena will walk away from the season unsatisfied. A good season for me is making the playoffs and at least winning a playoff game, the Quakes' coach said in a news conference Thursday. The Quakes need to win and get help elsewhere in the Western Conference to keep alive their chance of meeting Arena's criteria."
"Captain Cristian Espinoza said the team hopes to take advantage of an extra chance to make the playoffs after Dallas' and Salt Lake's losses last weekend left the door open, but expectations must be higher. At this point of the season, all of us expect to be in the playoffs, he said, even for a team that last won a playoff game in 2010, when San Jose made the West finals."
San Jose Earthquakes need a home win over Austin FC plus at least two favorable Western Conference outcomes to secure a playoff berth. Required results include FC Dallas losing at Vancouver, Real Salt Lake losing at St. Louis City, and Colorado losing or drawing at LAFC; winning all four would put San Jose into eighth place to host the wild-card match. Bruce Arena considers a good season to include making the playoffs and winning a playoff game. Players emphasize controlling emotions, treating the match like a final, and seeking revenge for the U.S. Open Cup loss when Cristian Espinoza suffered a gash on his leg.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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