San Jose Earthquakes vs Sporting KC Prediction, 5/22/2021 MLS Soccer Pick, Tips and Odds

by Josh Schonwald - 5/18/2021

Game: San Jose Earthquakes vs Sporting KC

Date: Saturday, May 22, 2021

Location: PayPal Park in San Jose, CA

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: San Jose (+145) Kansas City (+155)

Andres Rios and the San Jose Earthquakes (3-0-3, 5th in Western Conference) play Sporting KC (3-1-2, 3rd in Western Conference) at PayPal Park on Saturday. The goalies who are expected to start are JT Marcinkowski for the San Jose Earthquakes and Tim Melia for Sporting KC. Sporting Kansas City is priced at +155 while the Earthquakes are at +145. The total is set at 3.

San Jose played Portland in their last game and took a loss by a score of 2-0. In regard to passing, they finished this match with a 85.9% received passes rate by completing 518 of the 603 targeted passes last contest. The Earthquakes attempted 14 dribbles in this matchup and successfully completed 11 of those tries for a percentage of 78.6%. In terms of shooting accuracy, San Jose ended this match at a 10.5% clip by putting 2 shots on target of 19 total shots. San Jose has an average of 1.67 goals per 90 min (10 goals in total) and have earned 7 assists In all contests for this campaign.

Andres Rios is a player who should be able to impact this match for the San Jose Earthquakes. He has totaled 5 assists while tallying 22 yellow card cautions thus far in his career. Rios has started 102 outings thus far in his career and accounts for 0.25 goals per 90 mins. The forward hailing from Argentina has totaled 27 goals scored in 9,531 mins. One more player who could decide who wins is Cristian Espinoza, the forward representing Argentina. He has assisted on a goal 28 times during his career while scoring 12 goals. Espinoza has been on the pitch for 8,625 mins in 101 starts and has been given 18 yellow card warnings. He scores 0.13 goals per 90 mins so far in his career.

The guy defending the goal for San Jose Earthquakes will be JT Marcinkowski. Marcinkowski (28-14-21 mark in his career) has accumulated 14 shutouts, which leaves him with a 22.2% shutout rate. The goalkeeper born in the United States has faced 281 shots attempted against him in 63 starting assignments. His goals against per 90 mins is 1.41 (89 total goals conceded) and he holds a save percentage of 69.4. Marcinkowski has played for a total of 5,670 mins and is sitting with 197 saves in his career.

For their last match, Kansas City went home victorious with a score of 3-0 against Vancouver. They finished the match by connecting on 640 out of their 685 pass attempts earning a percentage of 93.4%. Sporting KC had a 61.1% successful dribble rate by converting 11 of the 18 dribbles they tried. Kansas City connected on 5 shots on goal out of 23 shots tried which gave them a 21.7% clip in their last outing. With a total of 9 goals and 5 assists in all competitions, Kansas City is averaging 1.50 goals and 0.83 assists per 90 min.

Alan Pulido should provide a lift for Sporting KC. He scores 0.44 goals per 90 mins and has been a starter in 142 matches in his career. The forward hailing from Mexico has accumulated 13,773 mins and has scored 67 goals. He has accounted for 17 yellow card cautions in his pro soccer career and has helped on a goal 22 times. Make sure to keep an eye out for Khiry Shelton, the forward who represents the United States. He has earned 13 goals thus far in his career while assisting on a goal 14 different times. Shelton has been handed 6 yellow card warnings in 5,981 minutes played (62 career starts). His G/90 average so far in his career is 0.20.

Tim Melia will reside in front of the goal for Sporting KC. During his career, Melia has allowed 239 goals and has accounted for 595 saves in 191 starts. He has given up 1.25 goals per 90 mins while holding a mark of 79-48-65. He sports a save % of 72.4 and his shutout rate is currently at 31.4%. Melia has accumulated 60 clean sheets while he has seen 827 shots tried against him in 17,153 career mins.

Who will win tonight's MLS game ATS?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Kansas City (+155)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Get all of Today's Free Soccer Picks

Get all of Today's Expert Soccer Picks

Start:	November 28, 2024 @ 12:30 PM
Expert:	Raphael Esparza (VSI)
Free $60 Account Sign Up

San Jose Earthquakes vs Sporting KC Prediction, 5/22/2021 MLS Soccer Pick, Tips and Odds

Most Recent Soccer Picks