Hoesen ready for NYCFC challenge

One player that is definitely looking forward to this weekend’s game is forward Danny Hoesen, who, along with Vako, is the Quakes leading scorer this season with two goals. The Dutch born striker took a knock against Sporting KC, but he ruled himself fit and ready to play against New York City, an opponent that he believes San Jose matches up with well.

“We discussed their strengths and weaknesses,” Hoesen said. “But I always like to play teams like that, teams that want to play football, because on the ball they are good, but that leaves spaces for yourself to play. I think if we can handle their pressure and play our normal game like we do at home, it should be a fun game.”

The two teams have met only once at Avaya Stadium, a game that ended in a scoreless draw back in 2016, due in part to neither side having its full complement of players. This time around, the Quakes will be at full strength and NYCFC are expected to field a top-shelf starting eleven. The bigger challenge for San Jose will be to bounce back after the 3-2 loss at Sporting KC, one in which the team too easily capitulated to the hosts. Hoesen hopes the Quakes rebound with a better effort in Saturday’s nationally televised game on ESPN2.

“Of course, for me, Kansas is a fantastic team,” Hoesen said. “They played a strategy that just works. Everyone is on the right spot, they have a great midfield, and sometimes you get those opponents. New York is going to be similar, so it’s going to be a new challenge. On the ball, we didn’t do enough in Kansas, and hopefully we will do more on Saturday.”

The bye week provided Hoesen and his teammates ample time to dissect their effort in Kansas City, and the consensus opinion seems to be that improving their on-field organization will prevent the types of open scoring opportunities Sporting, and the Loons the game before, took advantage of in totaling five goals in two games.

“We can score goals every game, and if we can make sure our defense stays compact as a team and not concede as much space, we are going to win games,” Hoesen said. “It’s not that people are pointing fingers, but everybody is trying to help one another.”