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Earthquakes-Union Preview

Jul 9, 2010 - 7:48 PM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

San Jose (5-4-4) at Philadelphia (3-7-2), 6:00 p.m. EDT

The expansion Philadelphia Union haven't had many opportunities to play in front of their fans but have taken advantage of those rare appearances.

The Union finally get an extended stay at home beginning Saturday night against the San Jose Earthquakes, who will try to snap a five-game winless streak.

Philadelphia (3-7-2) opened PPL Park on June 27 with a 3-1 win over Seattle, and is 2-0-1 in its new home to give the first-year team an edge over visiting clubs.

"I think we're going to have one of the best, if not the best, homefield advantages in MLS," captain Danny Califf told the team's website after the win over the second-year Sounders. "The fans never stopped chanting. They arrived early and stayed late. It's the type of crowd any player would love to play in front of. We feel very fortunate."

Rookie forward Danny Mwanga sealed that victory with a late goal, and continued his scoring binge last week at Chivas USA. The No. 1 overall pick scored his fifth goal in six league games in the 21st minute but the Union had to settle for a 1-all tie, which displeased coach Peter Nowak.

"I'm not happy with the way we played," he said. "That's very clear and I let my team know about that. We missed a lot of plays, a lot of good opportunities going forward."

The result still gave Nowak's club at least one point in four of its last six MLS games after it earned only three points over its first six.

The Union, tied for last in the Eastern Conference, will try to add more during the first of four straight league matches at home. Philadelphia also faces Scottish club Celtic FC at PPL Park in an exhibition matchup Wednesday and Manchester United in another friendly July 21 at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Earthquakes, meanwhile, will play three of their next four MLS matches on the road, where they are 2-2-2. San Jose (5-4-4) has a loss and a tie in its past two games away from home, part of an 0-2-3 slide.

"In front of their home crowd, (Philadelphia is) going to come out flying," defender Bobby Burling said. "We have to be ready from the opening whistle."

The Earthquakes got an early goal from rookie defender Ike Opara, the No. 3 overall draft pick, last week at home against D.C. United but snapped a five-game win streak when scoring first after a 1-all tie.

"I would like to get us to play some better soccer, but for what we have right now, I think the guys are giving me everything they have," said coach Frank Yallop, whose team hasn't won since May 22.

This is the first meeting between the Earthquakes and Union.